OUR PLACE
Winterfest 2024 and Winterfest 2025 had some of the same challenges.
Visit Lake Geneva and the Snow Sculpting Teams deserve a huge high five. The snow sculpting teams and staff of Visit Lake Geneva were hit with unseasonably warm weather, rain, and wind. The weather was more spring-like than wintery. Just like last year the teams got creative. Some teams chose to wrap the snow blocks in insulated blankets to keep them as cold and together as possible, while other teams tented their creations.
A good number of the teams waited until the sun went down and temps dropped before unwrapping their snow block and starting the carving. The visitors and spectators came out in droves as the weather was very pleasant for strolling through the downtown and lakefront festival. Bonfires on the beach were very well attended, and Fox Valley Arts Entertainment did not disappoint with its fire dance performances on the beach.
Judging was held Saturday afternoon, and the winners were announced. Even with the warm weather and a little rain, people were worried the sculptors weren’t even going to get completed, but the teams made do and came through with some spectacular creations. Saturday afternoon the winners were announced:
- First place went to Team Wisconsin 3: Sculptora Borealis,
- Second place was Team Minnesota 2: House of Thunes,
- Third place was Team Alaska; AK Department of Snow,
- Artists Choice was Team Vermont 1,
- People’s Choice is Wisconsin 1, Snowblind, “The Book of Souls.”
Overall, Winterfest was wonderful, and Lake Geneva was extremely busy.
