By Chris Bavender
The Festival of Ice at Center Green is set for Jan. 11 to 13 in Carmel and will feature ice-carving demonstrations, a competition and a carving class.
“Last year was the first year for the ice skating rink, so we didn’t know how many people we would attract,” City of Carmel spokesman Dan McFeely said. “The ice-carving competition was an event that we thought might catch the attention of our residents and visitors, and we were right.”
Festivities begin Jan. 11 with ice-carving demonstrations up and down Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Arts & Design District. Live carving will take place along the sidewalks.
“On (Jan. 12), the carving class kicks off a day of more professional ice-carving demonstrations when our pros, who come from all over the Midwest, create their masterpieces while chatting with those who come to watch,” McFeely said. “A new addition this year is an ice bar presented by Danny Boy Beer Works, the Carmel-based craft brewery. They plan to create a cool ice bar with an ice luge for the ‘adults-only’ crowd. There is also a new kids’ play area, and we will see a return of the live DJ.”
Ice Studio owner and professional ice sculptor Stephan Koch, who is based in the Anderson area, will teach beginners the art of creating an ice sculpture. Each participant will get to practice on an ice block.
“Last year, he was very instrumental in helping us plan and carry out our first ice festival. He is a very talented ice artist and is also very good at explaining how a sculpture comes together,” McFeely said. “We know there are a lot of ‘food TV’ junkies who like to experiment in the kitchen, perhaps by carving a watermelon or pumpkin into a cool shape. We are thrilled to make available this rare opportunity to create the same kind of culinary art, but with a frozen block of ice.”
Cost for the ice-carving class is $75 a person, which includes the use of tools.
“In addition, it’s pretty cool that if Mother Nature cooperates with some really cold temperatures, our ice class participants will be able to take their creation home with them,” McFeely said.
To learn more and sign up for the ice carving class, visit theiceatcentergreen.com/events#Art-of-Ice-Weekend or eventbrite.com/e/festival-of-ice-ice-sculpting-class-tickets-52291201391.
