Sparks Street has been full of ice chips as carvers from across Canada and beyond participate in Winterlude 2020’s many different ice carving events. Capital Current dropped in on the action of Feb. 8 and 9 taking some of this year’s Battle of America’s challenge.

The Battle of America’s Ice Carving Challenge took place on Sparks Street for the first time this year. [Photo © Sarah MacFarlane]
Ice carver Larry MacFarlane, from Winnipeg, said he was more than comfortable in Ottawa’s freezing temperatures. [Photo © Zak Mian]
As chilly onlookers shivered and sipped hot cocoa, MacFarlane grinned and said the conditions were perfect for carving. [Photo © Zak Mian]
Flakes of snow and ice swirled around MacFarlane as he intently gave shape to his vision. [Photo © Sarah MacFarlane]
Various tools helped MacFarlane achieve his desired texture and shape. [Photo © Zak Mian]
MacFarlane used chainsaws to shape the larger blocks of ice before switching to smaller tools for the finer details. [Photo © Zak Mian]
MacFarlane smiled to himself as his sculpture neared completion. [Photo © Zak Mian]
Between visits to the maple taffy stand and interactive exhibits, festival-goers gathered around outdoor fireplaces to thaw their frozen limbs. [Photo © Sarah MacFarlane]
With only three days to complete the sculptures, carvers were under pressure as time ticked away above them. [Photo © Sarah MacFarlane]
Carvers begin to put finishing touches on their masterpieces. [Photo © Zak Mian]
A towering “Abominable Snowman” loomed over other sculptures as Kevin Ashe worked on the final details. [Photo © Sarah MacFarlane]
A completed sculpture built by Indigenous artists watched over the competition. [Photo © Zak Mian]
The light refracted off of decorative ice sculptures in tell-tale signs of varying temperatures. [Photo © Sarah MacFarlane]

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