Featured Festival: Snow Sculpture in the Dark (Loveland, Colorado Feb. 5-10, 2013)

2013 Snow Sculpture HEIDITOWNSeveral years ago I was walking through downtown Loveland, Colorado when I ran into a man carving a humongous ice block. We got to talking and I learned that he was helping bring a snow carving competition to Loveland.

I knew immediately that this would be the perfect fit for a city already internationally known for art and sculpture, and boasting one of the largest sculpture shows in the country every summer.

In a short amount of time I’ve watched Snow Sculpture in the Dark grow from a small snow carving festival into what is now a sanctioned snow sculpture event where the winners will go on to compete as Team Colorado in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition.

Ten talented teams from across Colorado will converge on Loveland on February 5th to start working on their unique snow creations. They will work every day of the week, weather permitting, until 10 p.m.

While this event has become big time, the festival is a community party that has been embraced by the residents of Loveland. It starts with snow stomping at the beginning of the week. Local businesses put together teams of at least three people to stomp the snow in preparation for the sculptors. I’m very excited for this part of the week because this year I have a HeidiTown snow stomping team. If you’d like to put a team together go here to sign up.

snow stomping at Snow Sculpture after Dark HeidiTown
Stomping snow at the 2012 Snow Sculpture in the Dark. Photo courtesy of E.L. Events.

The main event for the public gets underway on Friday, February 8, 2013. This is also the evening of Loveland’s monthly Night on the Town, art walk. In addition to art walk, downtown has put together lots of activities surrounding the snow sculpture event, such as a luminary walk, Valentine’s Day oriented fun at the Loveland Museum Gallery, entertainment at the Rialto Theater, an artisan show at The Majestic, horse-drawn carriage rides, and Loveland’s first-ever Still Parade.

What’s a Still Parade? Instead of the parade moving, the spectators move. The Still Parade, featuring floats, dance troupes, bands and more, will be held along Railroad Avenue from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

team of snow sculptors at Snow Sculpture after Dark in Loveland Colorado HeidiTown
A team of excited snow sculptors at Snow Sculpture in the Dark in Loveland in 2012. Photo courtesy E.L. Events.

Saturday, February 9, 2013 is going to be the perfect day to bring your kiddos to Loveland, Colorado to see the sculptures and participate in all sorts of family-friendly activities. There will be ice bowling, face painting, carriage rides, train rides, ice tick tack toe and more. You can also cast a vote for your favorite snow sculpture in the People’s Choice Awards. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Insider’s tip: While in town, be sure to check out the 25 Ford Model A cars that will be parked in the lot north of 4th street and just east of Railroad Avenue.

I’m very excited to be a part of this unique Colorado event, and I hope that you will join me!

Snow Sculpture in the Dark

Loveland, Colorado

February 5-10, 2013

10 sculpture on 4th Street + a party in downtown

See map here

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Please join Loveland Snow Sculpture on Facebook to win fun prizes!

To learn more about Snow Sculpture in the Dark, or to keep tabs on all the fun events happening in Loveland, Colorado, go to www.e-l-events.org. You can join EL Events on Facebook here.

 

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