Cripple Creek Ice Festival returns next week

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (KRDO) - The annual Cripple Creek Ice Festival returns next week.

The 21st annual ice festival will run from Feb. 17 - 25 and will feature "larger than life ice sculptures" along Bennet Ave. in Cripple Creek.

According to a release from the City of Cripple Creek, along with the sculptures, the festival will feature an ice slide as well as food and retail vendors. Adult beverages will also be available for purchase on both Saturdays and Sundays of the festival.

The city said the Colorado Ice Castle will still be open during the festival and will be bringing one of their very own ice carvers to participate in the festival. They will be creating interactive ice exhibits that people can sit, climb on, and pose with.

This year's festival will also bring back the Battle of the Blade carver vs carver competitions, where two carvers compete live for a cash prize. According to the city, the carvers picked to participate in these competitions are given a theme and then are expected to complete a carving within 30 minutes in front of the audience. The winner gets a cash prize after all the sculptures are assessed by secret judges.

The Battle of the Blades competitions will held at 12:00, 1:30, & 3:00 PM on February 17 and 24, both Saturdays of the festival.

For more information, go to https://www.visitcripplecreek.com/