Date Set For Snow Sculpting

It's that time of year. The time when you wish for snow for those who love to transform it into a work of art. Teams from around the state will compete in Rockford for the right to represent Illinois in the 2016 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition, and high school teams from the Rockford area will compete in the high school division the same week. Here are the details for this year.

According to GOROCKFORD.COM, as many as 70,000 visitors view these massive works of snow art each year. The public is encouraged to cast their vote for the People's Choice award between 8:30 a.m and 11:00 a.m on January 17.  Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at 1:00 p.m in the Sinnissippi Park Maintenance Building.

Sinnissippi Park is open to the public for sculpture viewing while weather permits. Viewing hours are daily from sunrise until 11:00 p.m. You may drive or walk through the park. Visitors are encouraged to take the time to walk through to maximize their experience and allow them to view the sculptures from all sides.

Limited parking is available at Sinnissippi Park. Additional parking is available at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens just west of Sinnissippi Park across N. Second Street.

Biggest challenge each year is the amount of snow for the blocks to carve, The creative masterminds behind the challenge have even trucked in snow from the Chicago Rockford International Airport to create a block to carve in the park.

After you are done dreaming of a white Christmas, you can start dreaming of a white sculpture weekend.