THE LONDON FREE PRESS
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008
By Meghan Moloney, Special to Sun Media
The courtyard at Covent Garden Market will be transformed into a glittering wonderland this weekend for Snowfest 2008.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Ted Hayes, the event organizer and a sculptor with Frozen Impact in St. Thomas.
"It started dwindling last year with only four or five teams, but this year there will be over 20 sculptures," said Hayes, 51, who has co-ordinated Snowfest for 12 years.
This year's theme is "a magical crystal garden."
The admission-free event kicks off tomorrow as Hayes and his brother, Tyler, 41, begin creating the garden on a platform in front of the market.
The first competition will be Saturday, with 11 professional artists registered to make carvings based on the theme.
Sunday, carvers can create any piece they want for that day's contest.
Peter Lam, a London artist who has won first prize in the People's Choice competition several times, said he's excited about the event.
"This year I'm going to be carving a couple of rats," said Lam, who annually creates an animal corresponding to the current Chinese year.
"I'm looking forward to it."
The competitions are judged by the public.
While unpredictable weather has been an issue in the past, Environment Canada is predicting snow and a high of 1 Saturday and -5 Sunday.
And, Hayes said, the event no longer uses snow, partly because of weather worries but also because of the cost of transporting the snow.
This year, artists will each get two 136-kilogram blocks of ice with which to work.
Hayes said it's important to offer Londoners free events in the winter.
"This is the only thing -- you have to pay to go to everything else," he said. "You can bring your skates and have some lunch. There are going to be some beautiful things here."
IF YOU GO
- What: Snowfest 2008, an international ice carving competition.
- When: Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Covent Garden Market.
- Admission: Free.
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