New Home for World Ice Art Championships

Fairbanks, Alaska is home to one of the world's largest annual ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions. Held every year since 1988, the World Ice Art Championship has grown to a month-long event featuring more than 100 teams from around the world.

Some 45,000 visitors come to the Ice Park in Fairbanks to see these intricately carved masterpieces. The theme for the 24th annual World Ice Art Championships is "Future in Ice" and promises to deliver over two hundred larger-than-life sized sculptures.

The 2013 event (open daily 10am to 10pm) will be held from February 26 through March 24 in its new home at the George Horner Ice Park at 3050 Phillips Field Road. The new locale features "O'Grady Pond Too", a large on-site pond which will produce over four million pounds of "Arctic Diamond" ice – exceptionally clear, thick ice used by the sculptors.

The surrounding trees set the perfect backdrop for the competitions' ice sculptures, and there is plenty of room between the pond and the trees for a Kids Park, ice mazes, a skating rink and concession area. Competitions will 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.

To learn more about the World Ice Art Championships call (907) 451-8250, or go to www.icealaska.com. To see the full schedule of winter events and activities in Fairbanks visit www.explorefairbanks.com.

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.

Port Clinton’s Novel New Year’s Eve Celebration

Don’t drop the ball, drop the fish with one of the most unique New Year’s celebrations in the nation – on December 31 Port Clinton, Ohio will reel in the New Year with the annual Walleye Drop, where visitors and locals come together to watch a 20-foot, 600-pound fish plummet from the sky. 

Festivities commence at 4pm with a variety of free children’s games and an early, kid-friendly rendition of the midnight moment dubbed the “Minnow Drop”.  Shortly after the music on the street starts with professional DJ Rock & Roll Express, who encourages you to dance the night away while you check out the local walleye themed street vendors. Whether it’s a fresh perch or walleye sandwich from the Port Clinton Fish Company or a glass of “Walleye White” wine from the local winery, there’s something for everyone’s palate.

Of course the party goes on well after midnight with main stage entertainment and a  plethora of fireworks. And if all this isn’t enough, The Listening Room adds to this unique event with live, original music. 

Listening Room favorites Mike Willis, Mickey Kelley, Matt Rodgers and fiddle phenom Forest Miller roar into town for an incredible two-night extravaganza to help ring in the New Year.

For more information about Lake Erie Shores & Islands visit www.shoresandislands.com

For more information about top events in Ohio take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Ohio.