Snow Sculpting Starts Tomorrow at Sinnissippi Park

It's back, and this time it looks like Mother Nature is going to cooperate. The 32nd Annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition returns to Sinnissippi Park this Wednesday through Saturday.

Fresh snow falling is the perfect way to start the week as final preparations are being made to get ready for the 32nd Annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition. The free, family-friendly winter event hosted by the Rockford Park District is ready to rock with temperatures that should be friendly to all the participants and spectators.

Teams come from all over the state to Rockford to compete for the right to represent Illinois in the U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition; there is also a high school division. The massive works of art also bring roughly 30,000 visitors to Sinnissippi Park every year.

For the last three years, the Rockford Park District has been able to utilize district-owned snowmaking machines to make snow which has allowed the competition to go on. The snow blocks were packed on Friday and will remain covered and in place until state teams begin sculpting on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. High school teams begin sculpting at approximately 11am on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Sculpting will end at 10am on Saturday.

If you're planning to attend, Sinnissippi Park is open to the public for sculpture viewing while weather permits. Viewing hours are daily from sunrise until 10:30pm. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. Visitors may drive or walk through the park; visitors are encouraged to take the time to walk through, to maximize their experience, and allow them to view the sculptures from all sides. Limited parking is available at Sinnissippi Park. Additional parking is available at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens just west of Sinnissippi Park across N. Second St.