Max and Jeanne Zuleta with Asian the Great Lion ice sculpture at Snow Daze in 2017.
PHOTO: ART BELOW ZERO ICE SCULPTURES

February 2, 2022

Snow Daze set for Saturday in Downtown Kenosha

Professional ice sculptures are the centerpiece of the annual event

By Laura MarranKENOSHA.COM

After two decades in journalism, Marran earned her Master’s degree in Exceptional Education from UW-Milwaukee and has served as a special education teacher with Kenosha Unified School District since 2006. A Marquette University School of Journalism alum, Marran has lived in Kenosha since 1987.

The entire city is invited to join in a free day of winter fun that embraces our cold weather — in fact, it depends on it.

The 8th annual Snow Daze festival and ice sculptures debut is set for Saturday (Feb. 5) downtown, with the frozen creations available for viewing even after the festivities end. The event is sponsored by the City of Kenosha in cooperation with area merchants and organizations and the Lakeshore Business Improvement District.

“Snow Daze has been quite popular each year, probably because people have cabin fever by now and are ready to get out for some winter fun,” said City of Kenosha Community Relations Liaison Kris Kochman.

The centerpiece of Snow Daze is an afternoon of activities including professional ice sculpting, a candy give-away and more, set for 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Veterans’ Memorial Park, 5220 6th Ave., outside City Hall. Art Below Zero of Franksville will present an ice carving demonstration beginning at 1 p.m. The city skating rink, in the same location, will be open for public skating with free skate rental sponsored by the Mayor’s Youth Commission.

That’s just the beginning, as in addition to the half-dozen ice sculptures outside City Hall, an astounding 38 ice sculptures will decorate downtown businesses. Spectators can walk or drive to take in the sculptures from 45th Street on the north to 60th Street on the south, and from Sheridan Road to the lakefront.

The sculptures will last as long as the weather cooperates, organizers said.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Candy Land,” Herzing University will be handing out free candy at Veterans Memorial Park to the first 1,000 kids who visit the sculpture carving demonstrations and sculptures on display.

A familiar “face” will join the celebration, as Kenosha Kingfish mascot King Elvis will be on hand, along with Choo Choo Charlie from the train station restaurant of the same name.

“It was wonderful to see the return of special events in Kenosha last year, after missing out on so many community gatherings for more than a year,” Kochman said. “Snow Daze was one of the very few events that took place in 2020, but was canceled last year because of the pandemic.”

While sculptures will have a variety of shapes, sizes, and features, Kochman said she hopes Kenoshans will especially enjoy this year’s Candy Land theme.

Sponsors of the six Veteran’s Park sculptures are: City of Kenosha, Visit Kenosha, Blackhawk Credit Union, Choo Choo Charlie’s, Kenosha Kingfish, and Snap-on, Inc.