Photos: Christina Madison
Stillwater’s World Snow Sculpting Championship to headline new winter festival.
It’s been four years since Stillwater became the home of the World Snow Sculpting Championship, an international event that draws thousands of visitors annually. This year, the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Stillwater, is taking the event up a notch.
The sculpting competition will headline the first-ever World Snow Celebration, a two-week winter festival set to include new events like a snow run, ice skating, ice carving, candlelight hikes, a curling competition and a snowman-making contest. “It’s not just about Stillwater; this is really about the region,” says Chamber president Robin Anthony-Evenson. “It’s about the Midwest putting on a world event. It just happens to be in our backyard.”
Starting January 15, visitors can watch the sculptors at work and enjoy an interactive snow sculpture slide along with educational and cultural opportunities. An indoor market and warming house will be open from January 17–19 in the ballroom at Water Street Inn.
The closing ceremony will take place on the evening of January 18. Stay to celebrate the winners at the World’s Coolest Block Party at Lowell Park from 5–9 p.m. with a live DJ and fire dancers.
Also new this year is the Youth Snow Sculpting Championship on January 19. Art students from Stillwater Area Public Schools will work with professional sculptor and three-time U.S. Snow Sculpting national champion Bob Lechtenberg.
The event is free to the public with a suggested donation. This year, free tickets for the World Snow Sculpting Championship are required and can be reserved online. Weather permitting, the sculptures will be viewable through the end of January.
All ages. Donations encouraged. Times vary. World Snow Celebration, 201 Water St. N., Stillwater; 651.439.4001; worldsnowsculptingstillwatermn.com
Facebook: World Snow Sculpting Championship
Instagram: @worldsnowsculptingchamp
