2012 Event Schedule

2012 World Ice Art Championships February 28 to March 25 - - - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Ice Park offers the best in family entertainment! Ice Alaska is in its 23rd year hosting the largest annual ice art competitions and exhibitions worldwide. The Fairbanks event, the World Ice Art Championships, has grown to a month long attraction involving over 70 teams from all over the world. The competitions, and the accompanying kids park, attract more than 100 ice artists and approximately 45,000 visitors from Alaska and all over the world. We are excited to be at our new location this year just a mile farther down Phillips Field Road. The new George Horner Ice Park has a larger, deeper pond - O'Grady Pond Too - that will again produce world class ice. There are a nice field of trees to house the Single and Multi-Block ice sculptures and there is ample open space for all the Kids Park activities. Map to New George Horner Ice Park Fairbanks, Alaska USA - Admission Prices to Ice Park.
The Flint Hills Resources Kids Park from February 28 - March 25. The Kids Park is open on Tuesday, February 28, the first day the park opens, until the gates are closed for the final time on March 25. This magical Kids Park is like any playground, ONLY it is constructed entirely from ICE. There are slides and rides for all ages, challenging mazes, and life-sized sculptures of favorite animals, popular characters and toys to touch and climb on.

Single Block Classic February 28 - March 1 Single Block Awards Ceremony March 2 at 8 p.m.	The Single Block Classic World Ice Art Championships Two sculpture competitions, in ABSTRACT and REALISTIC categories, begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28 and end 60 hours later on Thursday, March 1 at 9 p.m. Teams are composed of one to two members. Each team is given one block of ice measuring 5' x 8' x 3'. Once the ice block is positioned, the sculptors do not receive any assistance from heavy equipment to resposition the huge block. They can, however, get help moving the ice from other teams. Most work long hours, even around the clock, to complete their sculpture on time. The resulting pieces are spectacular, some over 25' tall. The finished pieces are then judged under white lights on Thursday night. The public flocks to see the finished pieces under colored lights beginning Friday, March 2.

Multi-Block Classic March 4 - March 9 Awards Ceremony March 10 at 8 p.m.	The Multi-Block Classic World Ice Art Championships begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 4, and end at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 9, or 132 hours later. Teams are composed of two to four sculptors that often work round the clock to complete their massive piece. Each team is given 10 blocks of ice. Each block measures approximately 4' x 6' x 3'. Artists receive the aid of heavy equipment and skilled operators to lift and position the ice. The public is invited to watch the artists and to hold its breath as the sculpture pieces are lifted and stacked into place. The sculptures created sometimes attain heights of more than 25 feet. Friday night, the sculptures are judged under white lights. An Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. honors the finished pieces and recognizes winning artists. Awards are given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category (Abstract and Realistic) The natural refrigeration and shade from the trees and screens maintain the sculptures through the end of March. They, too, will be bathed in colored lights.

Amateur Open Exhibition February 29 - March 16 Recognition March 17 at 8 p.m.	The Amateur Open Exhibition is an opportunity for artists to try out some ideas on a block of ice without the stress of competition. Contestants can register and sculpt on a flexible schedule. Teams usually consist of one to two sculptors. Participants under 16 years of age must have parental permission and be accompanied by an adult while they are working. The finished sculptures are illuminated with colored lights for the public to view. Amateur Open teams are recognized at the Jr. Ice Art Championship Awards Ceremony on Saturday night after the sculpting time ends.

Youth Classic March 13 - 16 Awards March 17 at 8 p.m.	Youth Classic is for students enrolled up to age 18. Teams are provided one ice block, 3’ x 5 ’x 4’. The block weighs approximately 3,600 lbs. Once the ice block is placed, the sculpting team may not use motorized equipment to move the block. Experienced artists are on hand to answer questions and offer technical assistance allowed within the competition guidelines. Awards consisting of gift certificates are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category (Abstract and Realistic).
	View the finished sculptures through Sunday, MARCH 25, 2012
	Join the fun at Kids Park.