Christmas In Ice

Causes: Arts & Culture, Visual Arts

Mission: Promote artistic and educational endeavors using ice & other artistic media; enhance & promote international friendships through cultural & artistic exchange involving ice art & other artistic media.

Programs: An estimated 14,100 visitors viewed artistic ice carvings and played at the kids ice park in north pole, alaska during our 6-week winter event held in dec 2014 & jan 2015. 20 international & local ice carvers competed for cash awards & their artwork became the focal point of the ice park. Attendance was highest during our special community events: 730 visitors enjoyed bp picnic under the stars and another 1,984 attended military appreciation day; over 1,000 visited with santa on christmas day; almost 600 celebrated with us at our family-friendly fireworks display on new year's eve. Our event is promoted in three surrounding school districts by providing a free admission coupon to every elementary student. The ice maze, ice slides & twirlers in the kids park, and various sizes of exhibition sculptures are carved by an international team and local ice carvers, allowing visitors to engage the artists in conversation, further promoting ice art awareness, education and etiquette. This year's visitors represented 32 different countries/territories and 48 different u. S. States. Our facebook page has an international following and they have the opportunity to view photos of the beautiful ice sculptures any time of year. Our santacam video feed on our webpage allows others to see park visitors, family members and friends sitting on santa's ice throne. This is especially popular with military families who may be far from loved ones during the holidays. Thousands of hours of volunteer time were donated toward this year's event.