Professional ice carving teams from around the world will converge on Hamburg, NY for the Great Lakes International Ice Carving Competition November 25-27, 2015. This competition is the largest event of its kind in the continental US. The caliber of ice carving talent combined with tonnage of ice and an indoor venue makes the Great Lakes International Ice Carving Competition a premiere, international winter event.

Several international teams will travel to Hamburg to compete at the Festival of Lights for the only competition of its kind in the country; this is based on number of competitors, an indoor venue, and the tonnage of ice being used.  
Fun Fact: This is one of the only competitions of its kind to use a single 3,000 pound block! Others have to stack multiple blocks together for the same effect.

 Each team will receive one 3,000 pound block of ice as well as six 300 pound blocks which have to be featured as a cohesive art piece. 

Carvers will have 32 hours to complete their designs beginning at 5:00pm on Friday, November 25. Final judging will take place on Sunday, November 27 at 8:00pm.