Media
Release
Hamilton,
Ohio City of Sculpture Presents IceFest 2003
One
of Ohio’s Premiere Bicentennial Events!
Announcing Fire & Ice Event, Amateur Photo
Contest and Mascot Frosty the Snowman
IceFest
Expands as Two-Day Event! Everyone Invited! Sponsors Thanked.
Hamilton,
Ohio, City of Sculpture presents its second annual IceFest and wants to invite
you to attend this two-day family event that will take place in Downtown
Hamilton on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, 2003. Sponsored by
Downtown Hamilton’s Special Improvement District, Fort Hamilton Healthcare
Corporation, Hamilton Community Foundation’s Michael J. Colligan Fund, Fifth
Third Bank, the Hamiltonian Hotel and Meeting Center and Ohio Casualty
Foundation, IceFest, 2003 will be one of Ohio’s Premiere Bicentennial Family
Events that will create an exciting schedule of activities for the entire
community. The purpose of IceFest is to provide a fun, winter family event for
residents, attract visitors, highlight sculptures located throughout the area,
and to showcase the community and beautiful downtown Hamilton.
Fire
& Ice Lodge Launches Friday Evening Schedule
Launching
Friday evening activities will be “Fire and Ice Lodge” celebration. Hosted
by the Hamilton Junior Women’s League Auxiliary, this unique community event
held in conjunction with IceFest and Ohio’s Bicentennial will transform the
Hamiltonian Hotel Ballroom into a warm, cozy ski lodge between 6:30 p.m. and
11:30 p.m. Providing the
amenities of a full service lodge, this informal evening will provide an
opportunity for casual dining and mingling with family, neighbors and friends.
A buffet offering hearty soups, savory, freshly carved roast beef and turkey,
specialty breads and rolls and delectable desserts will be served. Hot and
cold refreshments along with a cash bar will also be available and the music
of pianist, Rick Schutter, will begin from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by
local guitarists and vocalist, Pat Murphy, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Acknowledgement of IceFest sculptors and generous sponsors will occur between
sets. Sculpted especially for the event, an ice sculptured bar and fireplace
will provide the centerpiece for this spectacular community event. Tickets are
available at $15 per person from Debbie Cisle at 513-896-1431 and the
Hamiltonian Hotel at 513-896-6200.
“Technicolor
Ice Walk” is Main Event on Friday Evening
The main
attraction on Friday evening which is free and open to all is the
“Technicolor Ice Walk” at Courthouse Square showcasing over 100 ice
sculptures illuminated with colored lights, sponsored by area businesses,
organizations and individuals beginning at 8:00 p.m. Ohio Frozen In Time
Bicentennial Ice Sculptures will be featured.
Ice
Sculpture Competition, Speed Carving Demonstrations, Children’s Activities
and Frosty the Snowman
On
Saturday, January 25 an ice sculpture carving competition will highlight the
two-day event and Olympic Ice Sculptors Matt Williams and Jeff Stahl will be
showcased. Professional NICA (National Ice Carvers Association) ice sculptors
from around the nation and Canada will be competing for over $4,500 worth of
prize money. Judging will take
place in the afternoon and an awards ceremony will follow.
Children’s
activities and speed carving demonstrations will be expanded and soap
sculpture contest winners will be displayed in merchant windows.
Music, food, exhibits and IceFest souvenirs will be featured. Mascot
Frosty the Snowman will attend and distribute treats for all ages.
Amateur
Photo Contest Introduced
To
further involve residents and visitors, an Amateur Photo Contest will be added
during IceFest 2003. All entries are to be of the 2003 IceFest, the
sculptures, the sculptors or any activities taking place during IceFest. Cash
prizes totaling $500 will be offered. A special best black and white photo of
show will be awarded in memory of Dr. Edward Kezur, in recognition of his
dedication, expertise and support of photography as an art form. Entries must
be submitted by February 11, 2003 and turned in at the Fitton Center along
with a completed entry form. There
is no entry fee to enter the contest. Winners
will be announced February 15, 2003 and winning photos will be exhibited at
Fifth Third Bank on High Street in downtown Hamilton from February 17 to March
14, 2003. Entry forms are available at the Fitton Center, Fifth Third Bank on
High Street in downtown Hamilton and select photo-processing retail stores
throughout Hamilton.
The
competition is open to amateur photographers of any age and each entrant may
submit no more than two photographs. The
photograph must be in print form only, and 8 x 10 or 8 x 12, mounted and
matted with the overall size being 11 x 14, with no frame. Color or black and
white prints will be accepted but if the image is digitally manipulated, it
must be stated on the Entry Form. Entrants may not enter photographs taken by
other people, or photographs that have won prizes in other photography
competitions. By entering the
contest, entrant gives Hamilton, Ohio City of Sculpture the rights to publish
the image free of reproduction fees. Entrant
will be credited as the photographer and the copyright remains with the
photographer. Judges for the contest will be Pat Brown, professional
photographer and owner of Brown Studios, Bill Hartford, retired banker and
amateur photographer, John Moser retired Common Pleas Court Judge, David Moss,
professional photographer and owner of Image Photography, and David Nolan,
photographer and owner of Nolan Camera Shop. For more information please
contact Bill Hartford at 513-863-3385 or John Moser at 513-868-6575.
Spirit
of America Laser Light Show
A
spectacular “Spirit of America” Laser Light Show presented on Saturday
evening at 6:30 pm will conclude the exciting two-day event.
Media
Partners
Media
partners include The Journal News, Porter Advertising, Time Warner Cable, TV
Hamilton, WMOH Radio
Sponsors
Thanked
Major
presenting sponsors of IceFest 2003 are Downtown Hamilton, Fort Hamilton
Healthcare Corporation, Hamilton Community Foundation’s Michael J. Colligan
Fund, Fifth Third Bank, the Hamiltonian Hotel, and Ohio Casualty Foundation.
Glacier and Iceberg sponsors are Chaco Credit Union, Inc, First Financial
bank, Friends of Hamilton City Parks, Tavo's Grille and US Bank.
Weekend
visitor packages at the Hamiltonian Hotel are now available.
For
more information please call:
Fire and
Ice Lodge Celebration: Debbie Cisle 513-896-1431
Amateur
Photo Contest: Bill Hartford 513-863-3385 or John Moser 513-868-6575