Photo by Amber McIver-Traywick –  Finished scultpures being viewed during the 2017 Snowfest. Snow was artificially produced with a machine and trucked to Fickel Park where it was dumped into forms and compacted. Young and old alike enjoyed watching the artists cut, scrape and chisel their eight-foot tall cylinders of snow into works of art that came to life over several days.

By Amber McIver-Traywick

The Surveyor

Incredible artists, along with an assortment of their larger-than-life snow creations, will be making their return to Berthoud to compete in the Colorado Snow Sculpting Championship. The Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) will be hosting the event as part of its third annual Berthoud Snowfest Dec. 12 – 15, 2018. This snow-themed event provides activities to get you and your family out of the house and enjoying some seasonal fun for all ages.

The Colorado Snow Sculpting Championship starts with a launch party on Dec. 12 from 5:30 – 7 p.m., including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause, and wraps up on the 15th at 5 p.m. with Berthoud’s annual Parade of Lights and the official lighting of the tree. A statement from the BACC stated, “People tend to get very busy over the holidays, and our goal with Berthoud Snowfest is to give people the opportunity to get out and simply enjoy the season. A family can make a full day out of all the activities we have planned.”

On Saturday, Dec. 15, attendees can enjoy a free, family-friendly concert by The Kilted Man from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Berthoud Community Library, stop for some lunch at one of Berthoud’s restaurants, visit the artisan market at Grace Place located at 375 Meadowlark Dr., then grab something warm and delicious at one of Berthoud’s local coffee shops on the way to check out the progress of the snow sculptures at Fickel Park, wrapping up the day with the Parade of Lights.

The snow sculptors come from all over the state of Colorado, with the top-three finishers of the competition earning invitations to compete at the National Snow Sculpting Championship in

Lake Geneva, Wis. Swinging by to watch the progress of the sculptures over several days as they are slowly revealed from enormous cylinders of snow is magical in itself. The best viewing times are on Friday night and Saturday morning as the impressive, but temporary works of art are coming together. The winners of the event will be announced at 3 p.m. on Seventh Street by Fickel Park, with an awards ceremony.

“This type of event is what makes Berthoud special and helps it maintain its village feel even with the booming growth we’re currently experiencing,” said Deanne Mulvilhill, executive director, Berthoud Area Chamber.

For more information and the latest updates and schedule visit berthoudsnowfest.com

Schedule

Launch party: Dec. 12, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Grace Place (Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance). Come and have appetizers and beverages with the sculptors. Ask questions and have your photo taken with them.

Colorado Snow Sculpting Championship: Dec. 12-15 all day – Fickel Park

Enjoy eating meals with the sculptors Dec. 12 – 15 at local area restaurants. Locations noted at www.berthoudsnowfest.com

Kids’ Fun Show Sculpting Event: Dec. 13, 3:30 p.m.  – Fickel Park

P.E.O. Holiday Home Tour: Friday, Dec. 14, 5 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 15, 1 – 4 p.m.

Tickets available at BACC

Artisan Market: Saturday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Grace Place

Parade of Lights : Saturday, Dec. 15, 5 p.m. – Mountain Avenue

New Freedom Outreach Center: Saturday, Dec. 15 – Live Nativity

Tree lighting and caroling by candlelight – directly following parade, Fickel Park