24 • Illinois Parks & Recreation • January/February 1996

Mix 100 or so artists and 160 or so tons of snow and you have the successful start for the annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition, held in January of each year in Sinnissippi Park, Rockford.

Up to 16 teams of sculptors work for three and a half days on compacted blocks of snow to create frozen works of art. Designs planned for 1996 include a buffalo charging through a dream catcher, an ice fisherman on ice in the shape of Illinois, a tree frog, "a cold day in hell," a peace dove and a chimera.

How good are the sculptures? The 1993 Illinois winning team won the 1994 nationals and People's Choice honors in a 1995 Canadian competition. Another team annually competes in Europe and competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics.

This cabin-fever beater has evolved into an event that draws 60,000 people to the Rockford Park District's Sinnissippi Park.

How did it all begin?

Two Rockford area businessmen were snowmobiling in Wisconsin in 1985 when they happened upon a winter carnival that featured ice sculptures. They convinced the sculptors to come to Rockford the next year to create an American Eagle, the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell. The next year Rockford became the host city for the first Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition held in January of 1987.

Where does the snow come from?

The Greater Rockford Airport supplies the snow. When the runways are cleared of snow, the snow is then piled up to help insulate it. About one week prior to the event, the snow is trucked to Sinnissippi Park where it is poured into wooden forms.

How big are the blocks of snow?

The international teams work on blocks that measure 10 cubic feet and weigh an estimated 10 to 12 tons. State teams use blocks that measure 6'x6'xl0' high, weighing 5 tons. High school blocks measure 4'x4'x6' high. Competitors may expand the length and width of each block to ten feet; however, the height addition is unlimited. One year a piece topped 25 feet.

What kinds of tools do the sculptors use?

Snow sculptors use axes, machetes, water buckets, shovels, ice chisels and homemade scraping tools. No power tools are involved. Barbed wire and cake pans have also been used.

How many people compete on a team?

State teams have three team members; high schools, four members; international teams have three members. In 1996, 15 northern Illinois high schools will participate and a fifth-grade class will be chosen by lottery to create up to ten small sculptures in a designated area.

How much time do teams have to work on their sculptures?

Work begins on Wednesday of the event and artists have until Saturday morning at 10 a.m. to finish.

What do teams win?

There are no cash prizes to win nor entry fees to participate. Trophies are given to the first four places in the state event as well as to the first and second place high school teams. Also awarded are Honorable Mention, the Committee's Choice Award and the People's Choice Awards, which are voted on by the Saturday morning spectators.

Who puts on the snow show?

To host the show, the Rockford Park District teams up with many local organizations including the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, WROK Radio, the City of Rockford and many other civic-minded groups and individuals.

Vance Barrie is the marketing coordinator for the Rockford Park District.

Illinois Parks & Recreation • January/February 1996 • 25