World Snow Sculpting Expo To Crown Champs Saturday In Stillwater

STILLWATER, MN — After weeks of preparation and several days of competition, the inaugural World Snow Sculpting Championship is set to culminate Saturday with bragging rights and prize money up for grabs.

The final day of the first-ever world championship is set to kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the closing ceremony to start at 4 p.m. at the gazebo in Lowell Park, according to the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event with the city.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three snow-sculpting teams, with a People’s Choice Award also to be handed out. The closing ceremony will be standing-room-only, with many expected to descend on the park for the final day, organizers said.

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The event is expected to draw 30,000 visitors to Stillwater to watch 10 snow-sculpting teams from across the globe, including Germany, Canada and Turkey, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports.

The competition launched at 9 a.m. Wednesday and teams will have until 2 p.m. Saturday to perfect their sculptures from blocks of snow that measure 10 feet by 10 feet.

The World Snow Sculpting Championship will be followed by the “World’s Coolest Block Party,” with a DJ taking over the gazebo in Lowell Park, a beer tent, snow store and more. The block party is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m. Saturday.

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Funtime Funktions will perform three 20-minute fire shows, while Monique Smaz is due to perform at 6 p.m. at the Water Street Inn.

Sunday will be “Minnesnowta Nice Day” in Stillwater, with special events and activities running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A beer tent and snow slides in Lowell Park are set to be some of the day’s highlights, as well as the conclusion of a four-day wild-rice cook-off between Stillwater restaurants and an appearance by Elle Gilbert, Miss Minnesota 2021.

The Water Street Inn is due to host a Swedish pancake breakfast from 9-10:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by bingo at 11 a.m. Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty are scheduled to perform at 1 p.m. at the inn.

Stillwater is set to host the World Snow Sculpting Championship through at least 2024 after signing a three-year contract, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports.