Reprinted with permission of
the Journal-News
From the JournalNews
By Katie Bunker
HAMILTON — At IceFest 2004, people from all over will come
to see their names in ice.
The third annual IceFest, presented by City of Sculpture, is
set for Jan. 23-24 in downtown Hamilton.
This year’s theme is “Around the World in Ice.”
New to this year’s IceFest is the construction of “The Great
Wall of Sponsors,” to be placed in front of the Butler County Courthouse. The
wall will be built of personalized blocks of ice that anyone can purchase and
have engraved with a name.
Each block costs $25 and can fit nine engraved characters on
two lines.
IceFest chairwoman Trudy Marcum said that the cost will make
it easier for everyone to get involved in IceFest without having to sponsor an
entire sculpture. “We made the blocks (inexpensive) so we can get greater
participation across the community and get everyone involved in IceFest,”
Marcum said. Block builder chairwoman Mary Ann Sanders said that she has
received order forms for ice blocks already, and hopes to receive many more
before the Nov. 1 deadline. “We hope to have over 100 blocks or more,” Sanders
said. People are invited to purchase blocks for friends and family as well as
in memory of loved ones.
IceFest features a wide array of ice sculptures surrounding
the courthouse and Journal Square. On Jan. 23, people are invited to take part
in a Technicolor Ice Walk, to observe the ice sculptures illuminated with
colored lights. The ice sculptures are sponsored by area businesses,
organizations and individuals. More than 100 sculptures keeping with the
“Around the World in Ice” theme are expected to be on display. “We will line
the street from the courthouse up to the government building with ice sculptures,”
sponsorship chairman Patti Froelke said. According to Froelke, some of the
sculptures that may be included are a Leaning Tower of Pisa, Eiffel Tower, and
Big Ben sculptures.
Previously carved sculptures will not be the only ones at
the event. Observers can watch as professionals from around the world compete
in sculpture carving for a $5,000 first place prize. The event is sanctioned by
the National Ice Carving Association and will be judged by certified judges.
Great Miami Valley YMCA will be hosting a Sled Race, with
sleds pulled by people in place of dogs. All eighth and ninth grade students
are invited to take part in a soap sculpting contest. Winning sculptures will
be displayed at Key Bank on High Street. Also, an amateur photography competition
with a $150 first prize will feature photos from the event; submissions will be
taken after IceFest is over. A new skating rink will be constructed in Journal
Square prior to the event. “The ice rink will be made out of acrylic so it will
be usable whether it is cold or not,” Marcum said. Journal Square will also
feature several children’s activities, including putt-putt golf on ice.
All of the weekend’s events are free, with the exception of
two ticketed events, Fifth Third Bank’s “Fire and Ice” gala on Friday evening
and Saturday night’s “Melt Down,” both to take place at the Hamiltonian Hotel.
Event sponsors include Downtown Hamilton, the Hamiltonian Hotel, Fifth Third
Bank, Fort Hamilton Healthcare Corporation and Great Miami Valley YMCA.
To order a block of ice for the Great Wall or for more information about IceFest, call City of Sculpture at 895-3934. Ice blocks must be ordered by Nov. 1.