Jeff Meyers, one of the professional ice carvers from Olympic gold medalist Aaron Costics ice carving crew, which has highlighted the annual Mohican Ice Festival since its inception four years ago, has been through the gamut of weather options when it comes to attending the Loudonville ice festival. Dozens of incredible ice sculptures line the streets and Central Park in downtown.
Last year, bitter cold kept some people away, not that the cold bothered Meyers any. In 2008, it was nearly 50 degrees and the statues melted almost as fast as he and Costic could make them. The year before that, it was brutally cold. This year, Meyers got to carve at almost ideal weather for both the carver and the many people who flocked to Loudonville to witness the awesome talents of these unique artists. Forty-degree temperatures and cloudy skies made it perfect for the ice, as well as for those in attendance. They could watch in comfort as he churned out large ice sculptures one after the other while answering the crowds questions.
It all made for a wonderful Saturday during the festival, where simply looking at the sculptures was not enough. Almost everyone in attendance had to reach out and actually feel the glistening forms, their fingers sliding effortlessly across the frozen ice.
I just want to keep touching them, they feel so cool, said Miranda Jones, of Wadsworth, who just happened to be traveling through Loudonville and decided to stop for the day. Its too bad that they have to melt. Theyre so beautiful. I wish they could last forever. It seems like such a shame.
The above-freezing temperatures did mean the statues would melt all too soon, but the joy of watching Meyers carve, slice and chip his way to a new carving was well worth it, as those in attendance were in awe of his skills.
For Meyers, who has learned his trade under the tutelage of Costic, the past eight years of ice carving have been a true growing experience. Even as he confidently and seemingly effortlessly creates these gems of art, he admits that he has much to learn.
The first two years were the toughest, but I am amazed at how much Ive grown over the years in terms of ability, said Meyers, who looks eerily like his boss when they have their parkas and gear on. Im still learning... still growing at this. It is constantly changing, and we continue to get new equipment that makes it easier, or that can do something different. Like anything, there is a lot of trial and error, and when you make mistakes, you learn and grow.
While making an error may seem like it would mean instant death for a sculpture, that is not the case, according to Meyers. He said that if they chip off a piece of the sculpture by accident, or dont like something and take it off on purpose, they simply rebuild it by freezing on another block of ice and starting over.
Costic and company created about three dozen pieces prior to the festival, and then performed a number of demonstrations while at the event. Meyers said that some of the local businesses got their pre-ordered ice forms in early enough that it allowed them to create the ice sculptures close to three months ahead, and then keep them in freezer storage until transporting them to Loudonville. Whether it was a bulldog, a semi, or a woman holding an infant, the crowd seemed genuinely pleased with the results.
Boy, you look at these sculptures and its hard to believe that its nothing but water, said an amazed Bryan Durrington, of Vermilion. We saw this on the Internet and thought it would be a fun day, so we came down. We werent disappointed. Its pretty awesome.
Cathy LeHacka, of Medina, and her friend, Janet Novak, of Cleveland, also espied the ice festival on the Internet. LeHacka said that Medina has an ice festival every year, and after seeing the one there, wanted to explore others. The two women were equally impressed with Meyers ability to create sensational objects out of ice, and were glad they had made the trek.
Its different than Medina, but it is every bit as fun, said LeHacka. Its pretty inspirational to watch him work his magic up on stage, and watch the different pieces come to life when he heats them up.
A little closer to home, 12-year-old Emily Moore, a three-year veteran of the ice festival, accompanied her 3-year-old niece, Delaney, to downtown Loudonville – her hometown. She said she is always amazed at the different objects the Elegant Ice crew has made over the years, and said this year her favorite was the penguin and the swan and heart compilation. She said that she appreciates the way the ice carvers get kids involved with the show.
Its pretty cool how they make kids names in the ice, said Moore. They wouldnt have to take the time to do that, but they do, and I think its great.
Meyers ability to answer questions while he works makes the demonstrations very interactive for the public. He said that while he enjoys that aspect of ice carving, the real thrill comes in competitive ice carving, where Elegant Ice competes with the worlds best ice carvers, even at venues as large as the Olympics.
Those sculptures are so much more intricate and demanding, said Meyers. Its all timed, and you do both team and individual. Its very intense, and for three hours, you just go as hard as you can.
The results are oftentimes elaborate, gigantic sculptures that are abstract ideas born from the minds of the sculptors, as they try to invent new ways to dazzle the judges.
But for the folks attending the Mohican Ice Festival, getting a chance to see the professionals in action, creating some of the more simplistic figures, is plenty exciting in its own right.
It also adds up to a real positive for the village of Loudonville, as many of those in attendance walk the streets, heading into the stores and enjoying the town.
I love seeing all of the people get out and around town, said Deb Bickhart, of Loudonville. A lot of them come from bigger cities, and its a chance for them to see what a small town like ours has to offer.
