GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — While the kickoff events for the World of Winter Festival were postponed due to a severe snowstorm, that's not getting one ice carver down.
Randy Finch with Ice Guru Events has been participating in World of Winter for multiple years. Along with decorative sculptures, he will be making games like cornhole, skee ball and more out of ice for families to play.
In the past few days, Finch and his team have finished about 100 sculptures. He said between now and Valentine's Day, another 200 sculptures will be completed.
Finch began ice carving when he worked as a chef, where he honed his skills and found his passion for it. He studied ice carving in Europe for several years before founding Ice Gurus Events. He was also featured on Food Network's show "Ice Brigade."
Finch said watching people see his work is his inspiration.
"You know, I think the kids, they really have the best response because they're just so fascinated with the fact that you've taken water and created this sculpture designed with the amount of detail in it," Finch said. "So I think the reactions of any of the people that see the ice sculptures, that's really what feeds me."
Ice Guru Events was started in Grand Rapids 10 years ago. Along with participating in World of Winter, they do sculptures for weddings, parties and other events. They also host live sculpting shows.
Finch said that while his favorite ice sculpture was a giant, working mouse trap made for a television series, some of his work for World of Winter will be too good to pass up.
"February 10 is going to be my favorite ice sculpture this year," he said. "We're doing a giant 20-block ice sculpture. I can't tell you what it is. You'll have to come down and check it out. But it's definitely worth taking a picture."
He said the 100-hour sculpture will be assembled in about four hours.
Finch said World of Winter has plenty of exciting activities other than ice sculptures and art installations, like a silent disco, a scavenger hunt, performances, family activities and more. The festival runs through Sunday, March 10.
To see everything World of Winter has to offer, click here.
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