Ice Carvers At Work

The main ice sculptures have for years been held in Confederation Park, but have changed this year to being placed in the Byward Market. I asked someone who was working with Winterlude efforts this year about it, and he indicated that the trees in the park have been growing too big for the structures that need to be in place for the event, and so the trees have to come first. We'll see if this location happens to be the case next year, as I don't personally think this spot is the most ideal place for the ice sculptures. That said, however, I have been to see the sculptures several times, have enjoyed them, and will take them in again before it's all said and done. Today I start with this one that was out in the open.

I like to photograph the carvers at work on that first weekend of the festival, and I did so on that first Saturday evening when most of the sculptures were well along. Sculptors commence on the Friday afternoon and have until the end of Sunday afternoon to finish their work. They come from around the world, plan what they want to carve in advance, and start piling up a series of blocks (shipped in from a facility that makes these ice blocks). Using a series of tools ranging from chain saws to hand saws to chisels, as well as some more unorthodox methods, they start fashioning their vision out of the ice. I have more of these works in progress over the next two days.