On the heels of a successful 2022 Fraser Fire and Ice in February, the Town of Fraser is pleased to announce that Town’s annual celebration of winter will be February 11, 2023. The bonfire, fireworks, hot chocolate and more will return, and new in 2023 will be the addition of the Colorado Snow Sculpture Championships beginning on that same day, with winners being announced at Fire and Ice.
The bonfire using recycled pallets and spent Christmas trees will return, as will the exciting fireworks display including the popular “gas bombs”. Steve Fitzgerald, Chair of the Fraser Public Arts Committee commented that, “the firebombs were a big hit last year. At first people weren’t sure if they were an accident or part of the show, and everyone was awed by them so we have doubled down on that for this year.”
Organizers are excited by the addition of The Colorado Snow Sculpture Championships as another great creative offering by the Town. “We have been building a strong portfolio of destination events centered around creativity” said Sarah Wieck, marketing director for the community, “and adding snow sculpture is a great complement to our other signature event, the August Mural Festival. We expect significant visitation from the Fraser Valley, Front Range, and other mountain towns to see the amazing sculptures.”
Fraser’s reliably cold and snowy weather are a great fit for the relocated Snow Sculpture Championships. Teams from across the state are expected to compete, and organizers hope to attract teams from the local high schools as well. Volunteers will be needed to help compact the 8 foot square mounds of snow, and local businesses will be asked to sponsor the teams. The sculptures will last a week or more depending on the weather, allowing residents and visitors ample time to enjoy them if they cannot attend on February 11 when they are being carved.
Visitors will have the opportunity to vote on the “People’s Choice” sculpture contest for a modest donation to Fraser Valley Arts, the non-profit created to fund, build, and operate the Fraser Center for the Creative Arts.
