Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Loop Ice Festival

Loop Ice Festival 8

University City (so-named because it contains part of Washington University) is an old suburb that borders the City of St. Louis proper. The stretch of Delmar Boulevard called The Loop is lined with shops, theaters, restaurants and clubs. It got the name because streetcars from downtown looped around there to make the return trip. It's a fun place.

A recent addition to its calendar is the Ice Festival on a Saturday in January. Calling it a festival is an overstatement. It's more of a gimmick to draw visitors on a cold day. Most of the businesses have an ice sculpture in front with a theme relateing to the establishment. There are a number of photo booths like the one below, some kid events and an ice carving demo. (How do they do that freehand with a chain saw?)

The temperature was well above freezing and everything had started to melt by mid-day. All things must pass. An Arch picture tomorrow and back to this on Friday.  

Loop Ice Festival 1

Loop Ice Festival 2

5 comments:

cieldequimper said...

I think I might have enjoyed this. Your top shot with the single drop is fabulous.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I agree with Ciel Bob, you clicked at the perfect moment in the first shot. A nice idea but not helpful if the weather turns warm.
P.s. you made me chuckle with your 'confused' bear comment!

RedPat said...

I guess the melting softens a lot of hard edges!

Unknown said...

So cool. The top shot is fantastic!

William Kendall said...

Sculptures like that are indeed quite vulnerable not just to a rise in temperatures, but winds as well. Terrific shots!