Zehnder's Ice sign design. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Frankenmuth Snowfest 2013 - A Labor Of Love

World Class Ice Sculpture Focuses on USS Edson

January 27, 2013       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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The 22nd Annual Snowfest held in Frankenmuth was greeted with great winter weather. While temperatures allowed for spectacular sculptures, it also encouraged participation, weather it was just viewing the carving process or actively participating in activities such as chicken bowling, miniature golf or night time entertainment including live bands. And what is a festival without food? Wednesday featured an apple recipe contest which included music and demonstrations. Of course there were the world famous chicken and other Bavarian dishes. Snowfest concludes Monday, January 28 with Zehnder's Restaurant hosting the 21st Annual Chef's Hot Food Competition and Tasting. This year's theme is "Under the Tuscan Sun" featuring Italian dishes of seafood, poultry and beef. The 2013 Snowfest event has had something for everyone.

This year's event featured a visit by the Detroit Tigers of the Winter Caravan. Several prominent Tigers participated in the event as they addressed a packed warming tent crowd of enthusiastic fans.

But the main attractions were the ice sculpting and snow carvings. A World Class Snow Carving Competition captured much of the attention of Snowfest goers. Coupled with the competition was seeing and being entertained by Greg Butauski, Award Winning Certified Master Ice Sculptor and his team as they created a 100-block masterpiece along with various other ice block creations. The ice sculpture carried a nautical theme as the Team created the USS Edson along with a lighthouse and the three mast Appledore schooner. The Ice Men also created single block designs for the miniature golf, local businesses and just cool designs to marvel at.

The snow carvings started earlier in the week and concluded Saturday at 10 am with the judging following later that day. The World Class competition (along with the ice sculpting) was held in Zehnder's parking lot while other locations sported the collegiate, high school and children snow carvings. Due to Tuesday's extreme low temperatures, many of the local elementary school students were unable participate as planned.

Snowfesters were treated with the ability to converse with the craftsmen as they displayed their clay models and drawing of what their creation was to look like. Logging saws, chisels and handmade "cheese graters" were just some of the tools used to shape and mold the designs. Starting from a 10 foot cube of snow for single block designs or two such cubes for double block designs, the carvers feverishly worked to finish their designs on time. As noted by a member of Team Saginaw, the temperatures help make strong snow to support their designs. It was clear that alterations to the original designs had to be made to take advantage of the weather conditions.

While we all like to see the finished product, the experience was enhanced by viewing the "works in progress" as the designs took shape. The following night, we returned to see the finished product. The awe inspiring creations were enhanced by the memory and knowledge of where the workers started and seeing the designs ultimate finality. One design has a time lapse sequence which provides the viewer of the work and effort that goes into the creations. That web site also affords the viewer to support a little boy who is battling cancer and his family. See www.runningforrowan.com.

Snowfest is a perfect complement to a community that has embraced its Christmas and Bavarian heritage. It offers all levels of entertainment and interaction. The snow carvings are amazing and coupled with the multitude of ice sculptures, it is nothing short of spectacular. I invite you to mark your calendar next year for a wonderful winter event.

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	Prior Article February 10, 2020 by: Rachel Reh Family Winter Fun Fest is BACC Hot Spot for 2/10/2020
	Next Article February 2, 2020 by: Kathy Rupert-Mathews MOVIE REVIEW: "Just Mercy" ... You Will Shed Tears, or at Least You Should

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John Keuvelaar
John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College. More from John Keuvelaar

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