One of the best ways to enjoy winter in St. Charles is at the Fete de Glace ice carving contest and winter festival. The annual event draws visitors from across the area for a day of fun and friendly competition.
The Fete de Glace is just one of the many free things to do in St. Louis. For more ideas, see Free Winter Events and Actvities in St. Louis and St. Louis' Top 15 Free Attractions.
When and Where:
The Fete de Glace is held each year at the end of January. In 2015, the festival is Saturday, January 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is held in historic St. Charles along the 100 and 200 Blocks of North Main Street.
Ice Carving Competition:
The main attraction at the Fete de Glace is the ice carving. There is a team competition in the morning and an individual contest in the afternoon. In the team competition, two carvers have 2 1/2 hours to turn five giant blocks of ice into a huge sculpture. The team event starts at 9:30 a.m., and ends at noon.
In the afternoon, it's time for individual competitors to show off their skills. They each get a 260 pound block of ice to turn into an artistic creation using chainsaws, chisels, knives, grinders and more. The individual competition runs from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
You Be the Judge:
After the carvers are done with their work, it's your turn to weigh in. The audience selects the winners for each competition. Just pick up a ballot at the information booth at the center of festival area.
The winners are announced and awards are given out at 3:30 p.m.
Keeping Warm:
You'll want to bundle up before you head to the Fete de Glace, but there are other ways to keep warm as well. Outdoor fire pits set up for visitors along Main Street. Many local restaurants and shops are also open during the festival. You can stop in for breakfast or lunch, or get out of the cold and do a little shopping.
Where to Park:
Street parking is available along many of the streets in historic St. Charles, just be prepared to drive around a bit to find a spot. There are also public parking lots along Riverside Drive near Frontier Park. From there, it's just a short walk up to Main Street and the festival area.
More Winter Fun:
If you enjoy the winter weather, there's plenty to do in St. Louis in January and February. Consider checking out the Loop Ice Carnival in University City. The all-day event features ice slides, human dog sled races, a scavenger hunt, game booths and more. And any weekend is a good time to do a little Bald Eagle Watching in Alton.
The Fete de Glace is just one of the many free things to do in St. Louis. For more ideas, see Free Winter Events and Actvities in St. Louis and St. Louis' Top 15 Free Attractions.
When and Where:
The Fete de Glace is held each year at the end of January. In 2015, the festival is Saturday, January 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is held in historic St. Charles along the 100 and 200 Blocks of North Main Street.
Ice Carving Competition:
The main attraction at the Fete de Glace is the ice carving. There is a team competition in the morning and an individual contest in the afternoon. In the team competition, two carvers have 2 1/2 hours to turn five giant blocks of ice into a huge sculpture. The team event starts at 9:30 a.m., and ends at noon.
In the afternoon, it's time for individual competitors to show off their skills. They each get a 260 pound block of ice to turn into an artistic creation using chainsaws, chisels, knives, grinders and more. The individual competition runs from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
You Be the Judge:
After the carvers are done with their work, it's your turn to weigh in. The audience selects the winners for each competition. Just pick up a ballot at the information booth at the center of festival area.
The winners are announced and awards are given out at 3:30 p.m.
Keeping Warm:
You'll want to bundle up before you head to the Fete de Glace, but there are other ways to keep warm as well. Outdoor fire pits set up for visitors along Main Street. Many local restaurants and shops are also open during the festival. You can stop in for breakfast or lunch, or get out of the cold and do a little shopping.
Where to Park:
Street parking is available along many of the streets in historic St. Charles, just be prepared to drive around a bit to find a spot. There are also public parking lots along Riverside Drive near Frontier Park. From there, it's just a short walk up to Main Street and the festival area.
More Winter Fun:
If you enjoy the winter weather, there's plenty to do in St. Louis in January and February. Consider checking out the Loop Ice Carnival in University City. The all-day event features ice slides, human dog sled races, a scavenger hunt, game booths and more. And any weekend is a good time to do a little Bald Eagle Watching in Alton.