FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Northeast Wisconsin saw warmer temperatures Sunday, but not everyone was excited about the sunshine.
Snow sculptors at Fond du Lac’s annual Sturgeon Spectacular were met with some challenges for the Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition.
“We’re doing the tin man from the Wizard of Oz,” says Snow Sculptor Mark Hurst.
Hurst says it has been a challenge.
“The snow gets really mushy, and it’s real hard to carve, and you don’t want to do too much to ruin the structural integrity of the sculpture, otherwise it will break.”
The snow used, had to be brought in.
“The snow is brought in by Sunburst Ski Hill and they bring it in by trucks,” says Hurst.
Other activities going on Sunday at Sturgeon Spectacular included, curling, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a Bloody Mary contest.
President of Destination Lake Winnebago Region Craig Molitor, says events in the winter can be difficult to plan.
“We designed it with winter in mind, and weather is never your friend in the winter time, so we designed it to have events inside and outside, on the ice and off the ice.”
Molitor says last year was a lot different.
“Last year it was -12 and now it’s 42 or whatever it is.”
Mary Thornton says she didn’t expect it to be so warm.
“I’m overdressed, she’s overdressed, but it’s nice not to freeze and worry about your ears falling off.”
Although the snow sculptors were not big fans of the warm day, attendees like Thornton say they can’t complain.
“It’s nice to be a spectator in this kind of weather, this is probably the warmest we’ve ever had but it’s not so good for the ice sculptors and probably the snow sculptors,” says Thornton.
Sculptors here say they hope their pieces can last at least a few days so more people in the community can come and see them.
