Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
The 9th annual Glenwood Community Ice Festival held by Marietta Main Street took the town’s attention last weekend through their magical ice sculptures. This festival which lasted from noon until 6:00 p.m. acted as a way for Tyson Whistler from Whistler Ice Works to display his creations and carve a new sculpture live in front of an audience.
Whistler began with a 300-pound block of ice, a chainsaw, and his carving tool kit and by the end of the afternoon he had created a Phoenix for the Glenwood community organization that sponsors the event. The mythical bird took about five hours to complete and included fine details as he shaped the different pieces together.
Onlookers of the event were also treated with 19 other premade ice sculptures on Front and Second Streets. These ice sculptures were displayed outside of buildings such as the People’s Bank, Advantage Real Estate, the Marietta Community Foundation, American Flag Poles, and many more. Whistler had made these sculptures to be themed to each business, as the People’s Bank featured cold hard cash, and the American Flag Poles featured a patriotic eagle.
Originally this event started as a part of Marietta Main Street’s First Friday which is a small event held on the first Friday of every month with a varying theme. However, the response of the event warranted the Ice Festival to stand on its own. Marietta Main Street also hosts a music festival in July and have begun another tradition in the first ever Marietta Dachshund Derby in October. These events act as a way to bring out the community and create new traditions for all people in the surrounding area.
For more information on Marietta Main Street and their upcoming events schedule search for them online at www.mariettamainstreet.org. For more information on Tyson Whistler and his business check www.whistlericeworks.com
