Alaska News

'Future in Ice' is theme of Fairbanks' Annual World Ice Art Championships

Fairbanks is home to one of the world's largest annual ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions. Held every year since 1988, the World Ice Art Championships has grown to a month-long event featuring more than 100 teams from around the world. Approximately 45,000 visitors come to the Ice Park to see these intricately carved masterpieces.

The theme for the 24th Annual World Ice Art Championships is "Future in Ice" and will yield more than 100 larger-than-life sized sculptures. The event will be held again this year in its new home at the George Horner Ice Park at 3050 Phillips Field Road. The new locale features "O'Grady Pond Too," a large on-site pond which will produce over four million pounds of "Arctic Diamond" ice—exceptionally clear, thick ice used by the sculptors. The surrounding trees set the perfect backdrop for the competitions' ice sculptures, and there is plenty of room between the pond and the trees for a Kids Park, ice mazes, a skating rink and concession area. Competitions will include the Single Block Classic, the Multi-Block Classic, and the Amateur Open Exhibition for novices to try out their skills and the Youth Classic for high school students.

New this year, visitors to the Ice Park can take a 15 minute VIP dog sled ride. A dog mushing trail has been created on Ice Alaskaland between the park and the Chena River. Dogs will be kenneled on site through the month of March.

The 2013 World Ice Art Championships will be open daily 10am-10pm, through March 31, 2013.

To learn more about the World Ice Art Championships call (907) 451-8250, or go to

www.icealaska.com. For more information on Fairbanks, request a free copy of the Fairbanks Visitors Guide and Winter Guide from the Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-327-5774 or(907) 456-5774 or by writing to 101 Dunkel Street, Suite 111, Fairbanks, Alaska99701. You can also order or view the guides online, get information about the Aurora Borealis and see our full schedule of winter events and activities online atwww.explorefairbanks.com.

Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau press release

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