On Saturday, January 29th, we went to St. Charles’ Fete de Glace (Festival of Ice). The festival took place on Main Street in the historic downtown. I had so much fun taking photos and watching the carvers and the master carvers working on their ice sculptures. Each carver was given 2.5 hours to complete their masterpieces. Now in its 13th year (this was our first time attending – we need to get out of our cave more often), the festival features 2-man 5-block monster carvings team competition and also individual artist using a single block of ice. 
Fete de Glace was so much better compared to the festival at the Loop because the crowd got to watch the ice carvers bring the ephemeral carving to life when they worked on the sculptures using chainsaws and chisels, grinders and knives, as well as hot irons and cold spray. Some of the carvers make their design decision on the day of the competition, based on the weather.
We got to the festival around 1:30 p.m. just in time for the individual competition. The team competition was from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The temperature was in the upper 40s so the sculptures already dripping off. I have great admiration for these artists creating such intricate work and delicate piece of “cool” art. Check back often as I will share photos of many other wonderful sculptures.
We ate lunch at Lewis and Clark Restaurant, across from the Visitors Office (No Qap, they don’t have .99 cents menu). We did not stay for the awards presentation. The Fete de Glace is unique because the sculptures are judged by the crowd. The people vote for their favorite pieces. I would have a difficult time voting for just one. Next year I plan on being there early for the team competition.
The little kids and a few big kids had fun sliding down the above "cool" slide.
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