Carved in Ice evening event draws in crowds
The weather was below freezing, but not unbearable, in downtown Butler on the evening of Friday, Feb. 21 — perfect conditions for ice sculptures, adult beverages and a DJ.
Butler AM Rotary Club began its annual celebration of the Carved in Ice event with “Lights on the Ice,” a more adult-oriented experience compared to Saturday’s planned festivities.
Diamond Park along Main Street transformed into a gallery of ice sculptures with lights placed underneath to create a glowing effect. A live DJ played music for the crowds as people posed for photos next to sculptures.
Carved in Ice serves as one of the AM Rotary’s largest fundraising events of the year, with local businesses sponsoring sculptures, a basket raffle and a 50-50 raffle.
“The turnout is just amazing tonight,” Dena Martinez, a Rotary co-chairwoman, said. “We’re just glad we’re able to host some family fun on a Friday night.”
Friday evening’s event began at 6 p.m. and ran until 8 p.m. Attendees could walk around and watch live carvings of some of the larger sculptures, including a castle, a throne and a snowflake.
More large sculptures, including the memorable ice slide, are to be carved Saturday. This year, in total, there are 62 sculptures across more than 50 local businesses.
“The weather is much better this year,” ice sculptor Jared McAlister said. “Last year we had a lot of trouble trying to maintain their shape.”
Last year, unseasonably warm weather created challenges for DiMartino Ice to overcome. According to McAlister, by the end of Saturday last year, the sculptures were hard to recognize.
To carve the ice into shape, the team of sculptors require equipment such as chain saws. Small crowds gathered around to watch the carvers as they spent an hour or more shaping the ice.
Part of the adult-oriented experience of “Lights on the Ice” is the serving of adult beverages. Food vendors lined the sides of the park to serve food to the crowd.
One of the vendors, R&G’s SmokeShack, served BBQ-based items such as pulled pork, brisket and wings. According to R&G’s co-owner Gino Perella, this is their fourth year making the trip up from Imperial to serve food at the event.
“The business was good tonight, but this is nothing compared to Saturday,” Perella said. “It’s nice to see entire families turn out and it’ll have more activities tailored to the kids.”
Saturday’s events, entitled “Family Fun Saturday,” will see the return of annual competitions such as a chili cook-off, a bake-off and a hot dog eating contest. Activities for children include free tractor rides, the ice slide, a scavenger hunt and more.
“I think I must have made 400 or so gift bags for the scavenger hunt,” Martinez said. “It brings the kids a lot of joy.”
“Family Fun Saturday” will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Brittany and Luke Richards take a moment to pose for a picture in the ice throne carved by Frankie DelGarbino at the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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County Commissioner Kevin Boozel treats guests to tractor rides during the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Jeff Kaiser works on his two muscle sculptures during Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Mitch Schrader, of DiMartino Ice, with precision works on is ice sculpture during the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Ice artist Mitch Schrader, of DiMartino Ice, is working away at his ice sculpture while the crowed looks one with excitement during the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Attendees were entertained by ice carving artists on display at the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Status of Liberty Torch carved out of ice at the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Ice Statues filled the park at the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Attendees pack the Carved in Ice festival event at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Ice carvings lined the street and filled the park at the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Jeff Kaiser adds some details to his muscle sculptures during Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Mitch Schrader, of DiMartino, Ice entertains the crowd as he meticulously works on is ice sculpture during the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Andrea Ward smiles and enjoys the ice carvings during Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Thomas Arone, of DiMartino Ice, works on his sculpture during the Carved in Ice festival at Diamond Park downtown Butler on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
