2014 Event Schedule

2014 BP World Ice Art Championships February 25 - March 30 - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Ice Park offers the best in family entertainment! Ice Alaska is in its 25th year hosting the finest annual ice art competitions and exhibitions in the Western World. The Fairbanks event, the BP 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 in our 3rd year at our new location. The new George Horner Ice Park has a larger, deeper pond - O'Grady Pond Too - that produces abundant world class ice. The Single Block sculptures are nestled in a grove of trees and Multi-Block ice sculptures have a back drop of large trees with attractive sunscreens separating each piece. The center of the park provides ample open space for all the Kids Park activities which are highlighted by the big slides and an ice skating rink. Map to New George Horner Ice Park, Fairbanks, Alaska USA Admission Prices to Ice Park.
The Flint Hills Resources Kids Park -- February 25 - March 30 The Kids Park is open on Tuesday, February 25; the first day the park opens, until the gates are closed for the final time on March 30. This magical Kids Park is like any children's 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 25 - 27 Single Block Awards Ceremony Friday, February 28 at 8 p.m.	The Single Block Classic World Ice Art Championships Two sculpture competitions begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25 and end 60 hours later on Thursday, February 27 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, February 28.

Multi-Block Classic March 2 - March 7 Multi-Block Awards Ceremony Saturday, March 8 at 8 p.m.	The Multi-Block Classic World Ice Art Championships begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, and end at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 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 8 at 8 p.m. honors the finished pieces and recognizes winning artists. Awards of cash prizes are given from 1st - 10th Place. Other awards include: Artists choice award, voted on by the artists; and Governors Award, voted on by the Ice Alaska Volunteers. A Peoples Choice Award is presented after the Ice Park closes and the thousands of votes are tallied in April. The natural refrigeration and shade from the trees and sun screens maintains the sculptures through the end of March, but the prime viewing is as soon after they are completed on March 8th as possible. They, too, will be bathed in colored lights.

Amateur Open Exhibition March 10 - March 14 Recognition March 15 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 Youth Awards Ceremony on Saturday night after the sculpting time ends.

Youth Classic March 17 - 21 Awards March 22 at 8 p.m.	Youth Classic is for students enrolled up through 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.
	View the finished sculptures through March 30, 2014