Animals made out of ice taking over the zoo

Owls, bears, and cougars have been taking over the Forestry Farm in ice form this long weekend.

“We do it because it’s magical,” said Organizer Peter Fogarty, who says hundreds of people have been coming by over the last two days. “The expressions and joy it brings to people makes you feel really good.” 

The Frosted Gardens Ice Exhibit has previously been at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, but it was moved for a mini event for the February long weekend to prevent weather woes.

“The ice chair, picture frame, and ice games have been the big hits,” Fogarty said.

Fogarty said 2018 is going to be it’s the biggest event ever.

“We want international carvers to come from around the world and make a big splash,” he said, the famous ice slide along with interactive activities and sheltered magical ice sculptures will also be returning in 2018.

Ice carver Tom Pitt is a chef by trade, but has been carving for 33 years and started at 23-years-old.

“We put ice sculptures on the buffet to keep shrimps cold, so it grew for me from there,” he said. 

Kids four to 10 can get involved by carving their own ice sculpture for $5.

“I’d love to do something like ice carving when I get older, it’s really neat,” said Josh Turner, who came from Portage la Prairie Man. for a soccer tournament.

We even have ice sculptors in training here at the Frosted Gardens #yxe pic.twitter.com/jvZkn5HqMZ

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) February 19, 2017

Last day to see the Frosted Gardens at the Zoo is Monday from 10-4 p.m. and it’s by donation.

This is so cool out at the Zoo in #yxe until tomorrow pic.twitter.com/bdKyWCg1Dj

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) February 19, 2017