Pigeon Forge’s Titanic Museum to Host Ice Carving Competition

Jan 08, 2013 Joe Kleiman Museums, News 0

Pigeon Forge, TN (January 7, 2013) /BUSINESS WIRE/ — The Titanic Museum Attraction’s outdoor visitor area becomes an art museum made of ice on Saturday, January 19, 2013, when the world’s best ice artists gather in Pigeon Forge for an annual ice carving competition. Thousands of spectators gather to watch this free outdoor event as professional and amateur ice carvers race the clock to create stunning, unique works of art made completely from ice.

The Titanic Museum Attraction will host the free event in its parking area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The popular competition attracted approximately 5,000 spectators last year and visitors are encouraged to arrive early this year to secure the best views for watching the competitors in action.

“The Titanic Museum Attraction works each year with the National Ice Carving Association to host this exciting one-day event,” said John Joslyn, co-owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction and co-leader of the first private expedition to Titanic’s Atlantic resting place.

“Starting with 250-pound blocks of ice, these artists have a limited amount of time to create carvings that would surpass the expectations of passengers attending gala events in Titanic’s first class dining room,” continued Joslyn.

As the artists work on their projects, children and adults can view sculptures in progress, talk to the artists and learn the secrets of championship ice carving from the most accomplished ice artists in the world. Children especially enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists and watch the magical artworks evolve before their eyes.

Professionals and amateur artists are competing for prize monies ranging from $500 to $2,000 in the competition. The official National Ice Carving Association judging panel will announce the competition winners and award prizes at 3 p.m.

“People enjoy the big moment when the winners are revealed,” Joslyn said. “It’s especially fun to cheer on a favorite artist and artwork you were able to interact with during the process of creation.”

The icy artworks are only temporary by nature, so this one-day only event is even more special as families look for exciting and unique entertainment options during a Smoky Mountain winter.

Additional information about the 2013 Ice Carving Competition and other special events at the Titanic Museum Attraction can be found online at www.titanicattraction.com. Tickets are not required for the ice carving event, but are needed for tours of the attraction. The Titanic Museum Attraction opens daily at 9 a.m. in Pigeon Forge. Reservations for museum tours are strongly suggested since many days sell out entirely. Passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at (800) 381-7670.

Titanic Museum Attraction: Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Missouri, the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Since its opening in 2006, Titanic Branson has welcomed more than 5 million “passengers” aboard the museum. Titanic Pigeon Forge opened in 2010 and has already welcomed 2 million visitors. For additional information about the museums, visit www.titanicattraction.com or call 800-381-7670.