Fairbanks

Fairbanks is home to the World Ice Art Championships, one of the largest ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions on earth. Held every year since 1988, the World Ice Art Championships has grown to a month-long event featuring more than 70 teams from around the world. 45,000 visitors come to the Ice Park to see these intricately carved masterpieces. The theme for the 23rd Annual World Ice Art Championships is “Dreams Come True” and promises to deliver over one hundred, larger-than-life-sized sculptures.

This year, the event is moving to its new home at the George Horner Ice Park. The new seven-acre park is centrally located and contains a large on-site pond which will produce over four million pounds of "Arctic Diamond" ice—exceptionally clear, thick ice used by the sculptors. Near the pond there is a large designated Kid’s Park which features a whimsical set of slides and sculptures. In addition, there are ice mazes, a skating rink, an “ice stage” for various performances and a concession area. Ice carving competitions include the Single Block Classic, the Multi-Block Classic, the Amateur Open Exhibition for novices to try out their skills, and the Youth Classic for high school students.

The 2012 World Ice Art Championships will be open daily 10am-10pm, February 28 through March 25, 2012.

To learn more about the World Ice Art Championships call (907) 451-8250, or go to www.icealaska.com. For more information on Fairbanks, request a free copy of the Fairbanks Visitors Guide and Winter Guide from the Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-327-5774 or (907) 456-5774 or by writing to 101 Dunkel Street, Suite 111, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. You can also order or view the guides online, learn about aurora borealis viewing and see our full schedule of winter events and activities at www.explorefairbanks.com.

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