Catch the Cripple Creek Ice Festival and Ice Castles this month
(CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo.) — The 21st Annual Cripple Creek Ice Festival is just over a week away and will take place from Feb. 17 through Feb. 25, 2024. The Colorado Ice Castles will also be open for the duration of the festival and tickets can be purchased, here.
“We are very excited about the return of the Ice Festival this year. It is one of the most attended
events in Cripple Creek and it greatly benefits our community,” said Annie Durham, Cripple
Creek’s Mayor. “We are also looking forward to Ice Castles participating in the Ice Carving event.
It is going to be a great Ice Festival this year!”
Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News
During the event, ice sculptures will line portions of Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek and there will also be an ice slide. Food and retail vendors will also take part on both event weekends including President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 19, however, the festival will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for an ice delivery.
Also back for 2024 are the ‘Battle of the Blade’ competitions, where carvers will compete for a cash prize. According to the City of Cripple Creek, carvers will be given a theme and must complete their carving within 30 minutes in front of a live audience. The ‘Battle of the Blade’ competitions will be held at noon, 1:30, and 3 p.m. on both Saturdays of the festival—Feb. 17 and Feb. 24.
“The Ice Castles are also bringing one of their very own ice carvers to participate in the festival, and they will be creating interactive ice exhibits that people can sit, climb on, and pose with,” wrote the City of Cripple Creek. “This will usher in a unique type of ice carving that will be fun for people of all ages.”
People who attend the Ice Festival can vote on their favorite sculptures by using QR codes throughout the event, and after all votes are totaled on the last day, the winning team, which will be announced on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Cripple Creek has been hosting the Ice Festival since 2000. The event was on a three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2023.
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