Layla Kaplan marveled at the accomplishments of sculptors creating works of art on massive blocks of ice at the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship in Burlington.
Kaplan, of Orlando, Florida, attended the Feb. 15 event at Wehmhoff Square Park with her boyfriend and didn’t think the artists would achieve such masterpieces.
“How can they do it? How is this even possible?” Kaplan asked rhetorically. “I have taken ice cream outside in Florida for five minutes and it rapidly melts. Here, you have ice blocks sitting here for hours. I think it is super cool.”
The Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship featured some of the best sculptors in the state. It was previously held in December before new organizer Experience Burlington decided to change it to February.
Bob Lechtenberg, of Hartland, assisted Experience Burlington in bringing in competitors and the massive 300-pound blocks of ice used as a canvas for the artists.
“We have one of the demonstrations. “There are really talented artists here working hard.”
He noted a slight hiccup in acquiring the ice blocks for this year’s event.
The championship previously used a distributor from Menomonee Falls until another company purchased that distributor.
After reviewing other suppliers, including one in Canada, Lechtenberg found a new company in Oshkosh manufacturing the ice blocks.
Josh Jakubowski, of Juneau, won the championship with creation called “Laugh now, cry later.”
Burlington’s Mike Austin finished second with a “Love Turtle” creating while Neal Vogt notched third. Vogt, who hails from Waukesha County, carved “The Lone Swimmer” sculpture.
Dan Ingrebrigtson, of Franklin, chisels away to create his ice sculpture
Sponsor changes
Spearheaded by former Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty, the City of Burlington served as coordinator of the event for several years until officials decided not to organize special events, including the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship.
Experience Burlington, formerly the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, took on the task of approving special events and organizing the Feb. 15 exhibition in conjunction with the group’s annual Hot Cocoa Walk featuring dozens of participating downtown businesses.
“The Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship was really started by Jeannie Hefty,” said Executive Director M.T. Boyle, of Experience Burlington. “It is really because of her hard work and passion.”
Experience Burlington opted to move the championship from December to February when the weather is more favorable – for the ice sculptors and the downtown retailers.
Boyle said their planning for the annual Christmas parade also played a role in the schedule change.
Based on early observations, she said she has heard nothing but positive reviews from visitors and businesses alike about the change.
“The feedback we have gotten has been super positive in that it brings a bunch of people to downtown that maybe don’t normally go downtown in the middle of February,” Boyle said. “Usually after the holidays, there is a little bit of a slow time downtown for retailers.”
Boyle estimates hundreds of cups of hot cocoa have been distributed to patrons attending both events with some establishments exhausting their supplies.
Ideal conditions
Bob Lechtenberg, of Hartford, finishes an ice carving demonstration with Layla Kaplan from Orlando, Florida.
Returning ice sculptors, including Burlington’s Austin, noted weather conditions on Feb. 15 were complementary to their mission of creating works of art.
“The weather is perfect. There is no sun and it’s not too cold. It is cold enough to keep the ice in a solid form. But it’s not so cold that I am freezing and dying out here,” Austin said.
In recent years, December was unpredictable, including sunny weather that expedited the melting of ice blocks.
“The sun is our enemy,” Austin said.
The Burlington area and beyond received substantial snowfall leading up the event, which saw overcast skies and ideal temperatures.
Dan Ingebrigtson, of Franklin, acknowledged Wisconsin’s unpredictable winter season and always returns to the exhibition because of the people and competition.
“It brings the crowd out. It is a perfect day,” he said. “(The weather) is always a crapshoot. You never know what weather you are going to get here.”
Kaplan, who met her boyfriend through the U.S. Air Force, delivered a seal of approval to the Burlington community and event.
“I think this is really special. It’s a good way to get people out and connected to the community,” Kaplan said. “I have seen so many people being so kind and welcoming to each other, liking holding open doors and passing around hot chocolate.”
