Tuesday, January 20, 2015

ABC Wednesday-"B": Blocks of Ice


It is Winter Carnival Time again, which is a big deal and an annual fun fest in the city of St Paul. Workers are constructing the Royal Courtyard in downtown Rice Park from more than 1,000 blocks of ice, weighing from 500 to 700 lbs—actually a small structure when compared to former Winter Carnival Ice Palaces.  Read about the construction here.

Linking to ABC Wednesday




History
In 1885, a New York Times Reporter wrote that Saint Paul was the "Siberia of America" and questioned whether it was fit for human habitation. Offended by this attack on their Capital City, the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce decided not only to prove that Saint Paul was habitable, but that its citizens were very much alive during winter, the most dominant season. Thus was born the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

In 1886, King Boreas I was crowned at the first Winter Carnival. This festival also featured an ice castle -- an elaborate creation made from ice from Minnesota lakes . The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, also known as "The Coolest Celebration on Earth," is the nation's oldest and largest winter festival. With many events -- including the breathtaking ice sculptures and parades  -- the Carnival has become a trademark of history, community spirit and togetherness, turning Saint Paul into a winter wonderland in late January.



City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 
February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 
from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

20 comments:

  1. I can't even imagine being someplace where there is ice like that!! I hope you get to go somewhere warmer soon!

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  2. how cool (no pun intended) is that! love the history of how it came about! go, st. paulies!

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  3. That is very COLD work. I love that little history lesson too. I also loved the teddy bear picnic poem you left on my site. Perfect!

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  4. I went to a winter carnival once in northern Michigan. I could not believe my eyes!
    I answer to your question. This is supposed to be out LAST house...but you know how that goes :)

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  5. The annual Ice Bar festival is coming soon here. That's my speed.

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  6. Cold work, but it will be gorgeous when finished! Thanks so much for your kind comment, it really made my morning. =)

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  7. A good source of pride, and a good excuse to get outside for something fun...dressed for warmth, of course!

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  8. I'm looking forward to the after images, if you show them to us.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  9. Something well worth looking forward to! Preparations are getting started here on our Winterlude.

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  10. I am guessing that we will soon see some photos from the winter carnival.

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  11. That is some thick ice. Re: the sculptures. They are temporary.

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  12. Reminds me of the growing up, when one really needed ice from the river or lake for refrigeration.
    .
    ROG, ABCW

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  13. Thank you Kate for this interesting event. We haven't had ice for a long time.
    Have a nice week.
    Wil, ABCW Team

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  14. An icy job for the guys to make that wall.

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  15. I think it's great to have something like this in the middle of winter. Always good to have something fun to look forward to.

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  16. I bet it will look spectacular when they finish!

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  17. I'm excited -- first year of light rail access for us out in the boonies!

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  18. Looking forward to seeing the finished product but Brrrrrr!
    Best wishes,
    Di...ABCW team.

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