By Mike McKenna
By all accounts, the first ever Hailey Ice Carving event was a success and a new winter tradition has been born.
Festivities kicked off last Saturday morning as five teams of volunteers set out to turn 8-foot-tall, 27,000-pound blocks of ice into art.
The Kiwanis Club created an impressive bear. The team from Mountain Humane, naturally, made a cute dog. Project Tools and Success made a giant Rubik’s Cube. The Hailey Fire Department created a fire hydrant in front of a huge snowflake. The Chamber and Hailey Ice team, led by Dr. Ron Fairfax, made a large relief map of Idaho as well as Thomas the Train.
Scores of families strolled by throughout the weekend. They called out things like, “This is cool!” “It’s so great you guys are doing this.” “That bear is amazing!” “Sweet, a Rubik’s Cube.” “I love the train!” and “Yea, Idaho!”
“We’re really pleased with how this turned out and that it helped bring some enjoyment to the community,” Brian Yeager, from the City of Hailey, said.
The Chamber and the City of Hailey created the event and the onslaught of positive feedback means it will be brought back next year. It would not have been possible without the support of sponsors Big Belly Deli, Copy & Print, Hyperbarics of Sun Valley, Merrick Construction, Inc., and Pioneer Federal Credit Union.
Weather permitting, the ice sculptures will be up all week at the corner of East Croy and Main streets. Go to the City of Hailey’s Facebook page to vote for your favorite. And check out Eye on Sun Valley for full coverage of the event.
