Ely Winter Festival Celebrates 20 Years with Snow Sculptures and ArtWalk Turning City into Veritable Art Gallery

ELY, Minn., Jan. 10, 2013 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The 20th annual Ely Winter Festival runs from February 1st through the 10th in the northern Minnesota tourist city known for its local beauty and wilderness. The volunteer Board has announced a celebratory, expanded schedule of events with something for all ages and interests taking place over the Festival's 10-day period for 2013: snow sculptures, an historic Voyageur Encampment, a skiing/snowshoeing triathlon, a crafts fair, a dance, several food events, musical concerts, educational programs, and the annual Ely ArtWalk.

The cornerstone of the Festival is the International Snow Sculpting Symposium in the town's Whiteside Park with 20 smaller "amateur" blocks and more than 20 large "expert" blocks, each carved by a team composed of three or more. The Symposium has reached out to all past carvers for an expanded Symposium this year.

"We're all working hard to bring snow to the park," said Chris Ellerbroek, co-director of the Symposium. "There's plenty in the area, it's just a matter of getting it in trucks and filling the forms."

Alongside the carvers in the park is an authentic Voyageur Encampment, with the participants in historic garb camping outside over the three-day weekend.