Two days of professional ice carvings on Main Street, Carter Green headline winter weekend that includes ice skating, Fire Department Chili Cook-Off
Nine of the top ice carvers from around the Midwest will bring their tools and talents to Carmel this weekend for two days of ice carving competitions and demonstrations for the fifth annual Festival of Ice presented by Allied Solutions, a fun and free event on Saturday and Sunday at two locations.
The Festival of Ice Weekend will begin Saturday in the Carmel Arts & Design District, where the sculpting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitors will be able to see the sculptures in front of these locations on Main Street: Woodys Library Restaurant, Agave Bar & Grill, Little Cairo Café, Muldoon’s, The Pint Room Bar, Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream, and Anthony’s Chop House.
On Sunday, the ice carving moves to Carter Green with an 8 a.m. start as the professionals begin the creation of giant-sized ice sculptures from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. While you are there to see these sculptures come to life, make sure you check out the Carmel Fire Department’s Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; hot coffees and sweet drinks from Rose & Lois; local craft beers from Bier Brewery; and a Live DJ. Make sure you cast your vote for the winning sculpture.
At 2 p.m., the competition kicks into high gear as the ice carvers return for the grand finale, a fast-paced “carve off” featuring head-to-head competition on stage in a tournament style format with time limits for each carving. The winner will be determined with the help of the crowd.
Photo provided by City of Carmel
Along with the Festival of Ice, the Ice at Carter Green ice rink will be open for ice skating all weekend as well. Ice skaters will be able to see the sculptures as they skate.
“This weekend is a rare opportunity to witness the art of creating beauty from a simple block of ice,” said Nancy Heck, Director of Community Relations and Economic Development. “Many of these ice carvers got their start in the culinary field carving blocks of cheese or fruit and then expanded their talents to include ice. Carmel loves to celebrate the arts, whether it’s a summer day on Main Street or a winter day around the ice rink.”
The professional sculptors, who compete in similar competitions around the Midwest each year, include Greg Butauski of Sunbury, Ohio; Jeff Petercsak of Westerville, Ohio; Titus Arensberg of Newark, Ohio; Jason Bartlett of Newark, Ohio; Shannon Gerasimchik of Columbus, Ohio; Benjamen Goebel of Whitmore Lake, Mich.; Aaron Costic of Nebo, N.C.; Matthew Stoddart of Lexington, Ky.; and Stephan Koch of Daleville, Ind. Several of these pros are making their fifth appearance in Carmel.
For more information on the Festival, the Ice at Carter Green and other upcoming events, go to TheIceAtCarterGreen.com.
The City of Carmel recommends wearing a mask to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. If you have symptoms related to the flu or a cold, please stay home or wear a mask.