Best Ice Sculpture Events in Michigan
Best Ice Sculpture Events in Michigan
From the midst of summer into the crisp autumn, it's not uncommon to see community wood carvings take place throughout the state. From carnival contests to farmers' market auctions, it's no surprise that this is a favored form of art in our lumber-rich state. What might be less surprising to year-round residents is the transition of community interest from wood to ice carving as winter begins.
Ice sculptures are a less-than-common winter hobby. If you're looking for a way to get outdoors and involved with Michiganders without the momentum of skiing or the soundtrack of snowmobiling, this may be a quality pursuit. Here is a concise list of Ice Sculpture Events in Michigan to add to your seasonal schedule.
Zehnder's Snowfest
If you're hoping to see unbelievable works of art this season, check out Zehnder's Snowfest and their Ice Sculpture Contest. Zehnder's Snowfest is known to host one of the best North American ice sculpture contests. Contest enthusiasts have been viewing these sculptures for over 30 years during the annual festival in Frankenmuth, MI. Zehnder's Snowfest is a joyful experience, great for all ages and interests. Alongside the wonderous art displays and contest energy, this Michigan festival provisions historical sights, eclectically savory food, and incomparable local charm.
WinterFUN Festival
This holiday festival is in early December, so make sure it gets on your list early! The WinterFUN Festival, also known as the Holiday Extravaganza of lower Michigan, is hosted by four community partners of Oakland County. Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford, and White Lake come together to create a truly magical celebration showcasing these communities' communion. Ice sculpture contests are held on parade day, which is usually in Pontiac, MI. Check the event's website, www.holidayextravaganza.org, for an updated itinerary.
MTU Winter Carnival
Michigan Technological University is a grand winter celebration to embrace in the seasonally appropriate Upper Peninsula. MTU takes advantage of the abundance of snowfall and below-freezing temperatures during this time of year to put on one of the most extravagant ice sculpturing contests in the state. With students on the campus separated into teams, the final products of this event will, without a doubt, make your jaw drop.
The Big Freeze Winter Festival
Another spectacle of the Upper Peninsula, The Big Freeze Winter Festival, is a fan favorite for ice sculptures. Hosted in Escanaba, this small-town festival highlights how integrated the upper peninsula communities genuinely are under the sheet ice and evergreens. This is a late winter event, typically scheduled during February. The itinerary remains centered on providing family-friendly vendors and activities. Ice sculpting contests are not hosted yearly but instead depend on community interest. Make sure to reach out to the Ruth Butler Building or the U.P. State Fairgrounds to get complete details on the upcoming schedule.
Icebreaker at the OAB
Hosted at the Old Art Building studio in Leland, MI, the Icebreaker is an annual ice sculpting event for enthusiasts and curious alike. This is an ideal community event for dialogue and networking around the local artistry of ice sculpting. Though not a contest, it does function similarly. Teams are tasked with producing ice sculptures in front of the crowd. Attendance is free; participation in the team sculpting event is not. The Icebreaker is climaxed with an hour-long demonstration by Matt Cooper, a Michigan artist of various sorts.
Matt Cooper will put on an ice sculpting display and discuss concepts and questions with the crowd at the end of the event. If you are on an ice sculpting team, he will be the dynamic leader in the experience. Time is organized for questions with Matt Cooper before the event begins for all participants with inquiries.
World of Winter Festival
Hosted in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, the World of Winter Festival is a top winter tourist attraction for lower Michigan. This festival showcases winter-oriented art of all shapes and sizes, with ice sculptures as only a part of the event. Nonetheless, there are typically 50+ incredible sculptures available to view and vote on. If you are interested in participating in the event as an artist, reach out before the new year. The festival is typically held on the cusp of January-February. With it being a highly favored artist showcase, participant slots are known to fill up fast.
Habitat for Humanity HiawathaLand's Snow Sculpture Contest
While this is not ice sculpting, it makes the list. Manistique, Michigan hosts Habitat for Humanity Hiawathaland's snow sculpture contests, raising money to fund home repair projects within the community come summer. This contest is a lot less rigid with rules, making it an excellent opportunity for participants to showcase broader creativity. The flexible sculpting guidelines also make this contest appealing to family teams! It can be enacted safely enough when using snow (compared to ice blocks) to include young children, which is why this contest is a suggested starting point for the alternative art-curious.
If you are interested in viewing this contest and making a vote (which includes a monetary donation), they are available to view downtown typically. Remember that the sculpture that raises the most money for the charity will be awarded first place!
Michigan's ice sculpting scene is worth digging into whether you're the one with the ice pick or the enthusiast in the crowd.
