APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — If you take a stroll along College Avenue in Downtown Appleton you’ll find 15 different beautifully handcrafted ice masterpieces, all part of the Avenue of Ice.
“Ice sculptures are a huge hit for the community they love to come out and see them which brings foot traffic into our district,” Lynn Hardy with Appleton Downtown Inc. said.
Installation for the works of art began early Friday morning.
Paul Salmon with Kristal Kleer Ice Sculptures says it all starts with a vision.
“I usually like to try to make it my own,” said Salmon. “So, taking an idea that someone gives me and then seeing what I can come up with as far as personalizing it.”
Salmon says he started carving early this week, dedicating two to three hours to each piece of hand-carved art.
“I don’t like to leave things looking unfinished. I mean we take a lot of time sanding, polishing,” Salmon said.
ach piece of ice is sponsored. Mile of Music has the guitar and Johnson Bank has its very own coin-filled piggy bank. Other sculptures have an even bigger meaning..
“The HOPE sculpture we had installed in Houdini Plaza in November of this year just kind of to lift people’s spirits so we decided to replicate the larger one in ice this year,” Hardy said.
The city’s downtown hopes that these sculptures on display will encourage people to stop and shop local.
“It’s great to come out and just be in awe over the ice sculptures in itself, it’s a beautiful place to go for a walk any time of year, not just in the summer, it’s a great time to come out and support the local businesses,” Hardy said.
The company says the sculptures will stay up as long as weather permits.
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