LAKE GENEVA — Despite temperatures in the low 40s, a few brave teams began work Thursday afternoon at the 2024 U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship in Lake Geneva.
Mike Nehs of Team Snowblind, one of two Wisconsin teams, says their strategy will be to wait it out.
He says the team plans on night sculpting Thursday night, then again Friday night until tools down on Saturday morning.
“Hopefully everybody’s standing at the end of the day,” he said with a smile, taking the challenge in stride.
Although sculptors were allowed to begin attacking their blocks at 10 a.m. Thursday, by noon all of them were still wrapped in donated insulated concrete blankets as bright sun and a blue sky opened up above.
A few teams had shed the blankets to begin work by late afternoon, however.
Crowds were more sparse than usual although it’s unknown how the delay will affect who comes to town over the weekend.
The competition was compressed into a Thursday through Saturday timeframe, but large construction lights have been brought in to allow teams to work through the night.
FRIDAY, FEB. 2
- U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship competition continues | Riviera Plaza & Flat Iron Park. | See our 2024 Team Lineup HERE.
- Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk | Downtown Lake Geneva | MAP
- Pearce’s Farm Stand Concessions | Wrigley Dr. | 12-6pm
- Bonfires on the Beach | 4-8pm | Riviera Beach | Concessions available for purchase
- Fox Valley Fire Art Performances | 5:30pm & 6:30pm | Riviera Beach
SATURDAY, FEB. 3
- U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship competition concludes at 11am | Riviera Plaza & Flat Iron Park. | See our 2024 Team Lineup HERE.
- Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk | Downtown Lake Geneva | MAP
- Boy Scout Troop #239 Concessions | Wrigley Dr. | 9am-4pm
- Pearce’s Farm Stand Concessions | Wrigley Dr. | 10am-6pm
- Riviera Ballroom Warming & Entertainment Center | Riviera Ballroom | 10am-5pm
- People’s Choice Award Voting | 10am-5pm
- Broadway Academy of Art & Dance Performance | 10:30am-10:55am
- Live Music by Indigo Canyon | 10:45am-1:45pm
- Magpie’s Winterfest Snack Shack Concessions | 11am-5pm
- Lake Geneva Pie Co. Concessions | 11am-5pm
- Live Music by Karen Shook | 2pm-5pm
- U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship Awards Ceremony | 3pm
- Bonfires on the Beach | 4-8pm | Riviera Beach | Concessions available for purchase
- Fox Valley Fire Art Performances | 5:30pm & 6:30pm | Riviera Beach
SUNDAY, FEB. 4
- Completed Snow Sculptures on Display | Riviera Plaza & Flat Iron Park. | See our 2024 Team Lineup HERE.
- Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk | Downtown Lake Geneva | MAP
- Pearce’s Farm Stand Concessions | Visitor Info Center (Wrigley Dr.) | 10am-6pm
- Boy Scout Troop #239 Concessions | Flat Iron Park | 9am-3pm
- Riviera Ballroom Warming Center | Riviera Ballroom | 10am-5pm
- People’s Choice Voting 10am-3pm
- Lofty Life Aerial Dance Company Performance | 10:30am-11:15am
- Magpie’s Winterfest Snack Shack Concessions | 11am-5pm
- Lake Geneva Pie Co. Concessions | 11am-5pm
- Live Music by Terry Byrne | 11:15am-2pm
- Live Music by Frank Whiting & JFK Band | 2-5pm