Carmel Ice Carving Competition, Chili Cook-Off

CARMEL, IN -- Carmel's "Festival of Ice" presents the inaugural Ice Carving Competition and Chili Cook-Off this weekend, the city says in a release. Professional ice carvers from around the Midwest will create beautiful ice sculptures at Carmel's outdoor Ice at Center Green, and all six Carmel Fire Department stations will have samples of their best chili recipes for all who come by the rink. The ice sculpture carving kicks off at 12 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Saturday, with the chili cook-off taking place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to a release.

The ice carving action continues on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with the highly competitive Ice Carve-Off speed-carving competition on the Drees Home Stage.

The two-day event is free and open to the public, who will be able to see the beautiful sculptures on display all weekend, illuminated at night for your viewing pleasure during evening skate sessions. Enjoy skating Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Those attending will also have the opportunity to cast votes for their favorites sculptures and chili recipes.

The city says one of the nation's top professional ice carvers, Greg Butauski of Columbus, OH, will be among the competitors. Butauski is one of only six Certified Master Carvers in the country and is the reigning 2017 National Ice Carving Association champion, and was the captain of the USA team that competed at the Winter Olympics Ice Carving Competition in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Also competing:

• Harvey Russell of Kirkwood, MO
• Jeff Peterczak of Columbus, OH
• Michael Stoddart of Lexington, KY
• Matt Stoddart of Lexington, KY
• Stephan A. Koch of Yorktown, IN
• Shannon Gerasimchuk of Columbus, OH.

The city says ice skating and ice rentals will be available at the regular times and sessions, and food and beverages will be available from Ice at Center Green vendors.

More: carmel.in.gov, theiceatcentergreen.com

The Art of Ice is being created now at the Ice at Center Green ... getting ready for Ice Carving Weekend in Carmel! pic.twitter.com/Q4jxINpzsN
— City of Carmel, IN (@CITYOFCARMELIN) February 16, 2018

Photo credit: Michael Conroy/Associated Press