LAKE GENEVA — The snow sculpture from team North Dakota has been named the People’s Choice winner of the 2023 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition, part if Winterfest in Lake Geneva.
Their sculpture, “The Nemean Lion,” was also named the overall first-place winner Saturday.
Peoples choice voting was completed Sunday by visitors as crowds flocked to see 15 fantastic sculptures on the shore of Geneva Lake.
This year, three People’s Choice awards were handed out.
Second place went to team Minnesota 1 for “Nigig Nibi Ganawendan” (Otter Water Protector)” and third went to Wisconsin team 2 for “Gracious Struggle.”
Carving ended at 1 p.m. Saturday, with a sculpture of the mythological lion, Nemean, by the team from North Dakota was named the overall winner.
Team Alaska, known as the Alaska Department of Snow, placed second for their sculpture, “When Love Hurts,” from team members Paul Hanis, Patrick Boonstra and Tom Lewando.
Third-place winners were Sculptora Borealis from Waukesha County in Wisconsin, created “You Are Not Alone.” Team members are Joshua Jakubowski, Robert Lechtenberg and Michael Lechtenberg.
North Dakota team members Jay Ray, Mike Nelson and Josh Zeis say their sculpture shows the epic battle between the Nemean Lion and Hercules.
Watch the livestream below or at http://626geneva.com/Livestream/Riviera.htm