“Bitterly cold and humid-such an enchanting combination. Every surface, every blade of grass and twig is growing long ice crystals ten or more millimeters in length. They are little forests of ice, pure white “trees” growing without roots.”
The Enchanted Forest was so quiet this morning. No tools, no hustle and bustle, no people. Every so often I could hear a bird sing. It really was an idyllic scene and feel. As I walked along, taking pictures of all the finished Double Block sculptures, my mind wandered to poetry and Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” came to mind, “The Woods are lovely, dark and deep…”
The Double Block is complete. The Awards Ceremony will begin tonight at 8:00PM on the frozen ice stage in the park. Many of the artists are milling around the volunteer building, cleaning up their spaces or just sitting quietly, waiting in anticipation for the awards to be announced. I talked with one carver who said she was so excited and nervous. There are so many beautiful sculptures that the judging was hard, I’m sure. An interesting fact I just learned: after the judging is complete, if the sculptor is not quite satisfied with his finished piece, he may go back and add whatever he wants to in order to make his piece more appealing to the viewing public. These changes and improvements do not affect the judging at all. The judging stands as is.
Many of the previous artists as well as new ones competing this year, are now in the woods preparing their sites for the Single Block competition which begins Friday, February 28th and ends Sunday, March 1st.
“A footprint in the snow, a bracelet on her wrist.
A tissue for her running nose,
A jacket for the chill.
A yard with imprints, those of angels.
Two button-eyed figures stare blatantly at passing cars.
Smiles, gloves filled with snow, and wet clothes
Entertain a child-hearted couple for an
evening.”
See you at the Awards Ceremony
