Construction
It is known that the majority of planning, building, and fund-raising/organizing are done by five key characters: Snowking, Sir Shiverin' Sam, Joe Snow, Snowbank Frank and Snowbelle. These five have worked together since approximately 2006 to ensure the continued success of the festival. Other builders include Mr. Freeze, Jack Frost, and Dug Some Snow. A first year builder is referred to as a "snowprentice".
Pre-construction work begins in early November. At this time, crew members cut panes of ice from the frozen lake surface. These blocks of ice are about six inches thick and are cut into a variety of heights and widths. They are stockpiled near the future location of the castle and will be used for window panes and table tops.
Construction of the castle itself begins on January 1 each year, and takes about two months.
In the early years of the castle all construction was done with blocks of snow, stacking them into walls and building arched entrances and tunnels. Today blocks continue to have a role in the castle but the vast majority of building is done by "pouring" snow into wooden forms, much like concrete work. This "snowcrete" can be shaped into all manner of structure. Walls, rooms, and roofs are all possible.
After two months of playing in the snow, the crew stands back to examine their work. And on opening night of the festival, they present their masterpiece to the public.
Read more about this topic: Snowking Winter Festival
Famous quotes containing the word construction:
“There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face:
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Striving toward a goal puts a more pleasing construction on our advance toward death.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)