World Class Ice Carvers Draw Big Crowds to Village at Leesburg

Leesburg, Va. - Big crowds were on hand throughout the day January 16 to marvel at the ingenuity of 10 world-class ice carvers on Saturday as Village at Leesburg hosted its 3rd Annual Winter Ice Fest and 2nd Mega Block Ice Carving Competition. The competition, sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association, began at 9 am and continued on until dark when the entries were illuminated and a winner was announced.

Results of the competition were as follows: Rich Daly and his piece “Hidden Intelligence” placed first; last year’s winner Todd Dawson came in second with his piece “Committed;” Jess Parrish and her piece “Ziggy Stardust” placed third; Angelito Baban came in fourth place with his carving “Got You;” David Smith grabbed fifth place with his sculpture “Groovin’ Beyond the Grave;” Don Harrison and his piece “Enchanted Mermaid” placed sixth; “On Thin Ice” by Robert LoFurno came in seventh place; Walter Ross’ sculpture “Ideas in Ice” came in eighth place; Matt Haus placed ninth with his sculpture “Rest in Peace;” and Sean Lahey, whose sculpture “Sonic Boom” collapsed in the closing minutes, came in tenth place.

Baltimore-based Ice Lab Ice Sculptures designed the festival’s signature piece, a patriotic-themed piece that was 13 feet tall by 13 feet wide and weighed 8,000 pounds.