Fairbanks, Alaska is home to the BP World Ice Art Championships, one of the largest ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions on earth. Held every year since 1988, the BP World Ice Art Championships has grown to a month-long event featuring more than 70 teams from around the world.
This year the 2012 BP World Ice Art Championships, presented by Ice Alaska, will be open daily 10am-10pm from February 28 through March 25.
Some 45,000 visitors come to the Ice Park to see these intricately carved masterpieces. The theme for the 23rd Annual BP World Ice Art Championships is “Dreams Come True” and promises to deliver over one- hundred, larger-than-life sized sculptures.
This year, the event is moving to its new home at the George Horner Ice Art Park. The new 27-acre park is centrally located and contains a large on-site pond which will produce over four million pounds of "Arctic Diamond" ice—exceptionally clear, thick ice used by the sculptors.
Near the pond there is a large designated Kid’s Park which features a whimsical set of slides and sculptures. In addition, there are ice mazes, a skating rink, an “ice stage” for various performances and a concession area.
Ice carving competitions include the Single Block Classic, the Multi-Block Classic, the Amateur Open Exhibition for novices to try out their skills, and the Youth Classic for high school students.
For details visit BP World Ice Art Championship/
For more information about top events in Alaska take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Alaska.