Nearly two dozen teams presented snow sculptures for judging this Saturday at Sinnissippi Park in Rockford, as the 39th Annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition wrapped up. Viewing the sculptures after the competition is a Rockford tradition. Sinnissippi Park is open to the public for sculpture viewing while weather permits.
Viewing hours are daily from sunrise until 10 p.m. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. Visitors may drive or walk through the park. Limited parking is available at Sinnissippi Park, with additional parking at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, just west of Sinnissippi Park across North Second Street.
The sculptures will remain on display at Sinnissippi Park as long as possible, depending on the weather. The competition kicked off on Wednesday, with judging taking place on Saturday. Twelve Illinois teams competed to advance to the 2024 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition, and another 11 high school teams also participated.
Sculptors may not use any power tools or pre-fabricated molds. They can use axes, machetes, water buckets, shovels, saws, ice chisels, and homemade scraping tools.
Rockford community tradition: snow sculpting
Kim McCombs and his team, the Windy City Snowmen, were among the competitors. Their sculpture, titled “Jonah and the Whale,” earned them the Committee’s Choice Award and third place overall. McCombs could be seen diligently patting snow onto their creation, ensuring every detail was perfect.
Jared Corey, working with his team, Rockford, Inc., was also hard at work. He was busy scooping snow to add the final touches to their sculpture. Corey’s team, dubbed the Snowbeards, includes Bryan Douglas and Valeria Walters.
On Saturday morning, they were putting the finishing touches on a snow sculpture of James P. “Sullie” Sullivan from the “Monsters Inc.” animated film. High school students also participated in the chilly event, with eleven teams from various schools showcasing their creativity.
The young sculptors worked vigorously on their snow masterpieces, demonstrating impressive skills and teamwork. The Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition continues to be a celebrated event, bringing together artists and the community to appreciate the ephemeral beauty of snow sculptures. Despite the cold, the dedication and passion of each participant were evident in their intricate and beautiful creations.