SPICER - Working in relatively balmy conditions Sunday morning, volunteers manhandled huge blocks of Green Lake ice to create a 20-foot-tall ice castle on Saulsbury Beach in Spicer.
Made from about 500 to 550 blocks, the castle will be featured in Spicer's Winterfest activities, which includes fireworks and a lighting ceremony Jan. 20 to kick off the multi-day event.
"It's awesome. It's better than could be expected," said Jeff Travis, of Travis Masonry of New London, who coordinated the design-and-build process.
"It's good to have this many people come together to do something for the community," he said.
The ice castle will be the "focal point" of the community celebration, said Michelle Olson, president of the Spicer Commercial Club.
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Although the community hosts a winter festival every year, Olson said it's been several years since an ice castle has been constructed.
"During this time of year, you need something to do," she said.
There was a steady flow of after-church spectators watching the construction process Sunday and marveling at the dazzling blue hue of the ice. "It looks like a frozen ocean," said a woman who slowly walked around the structure.
The castle was made possible because of donated funds and hours of volunteer labor. "It's a team effort," Olson said, who was bringing a large thermos of fresh coffee to the warming house Sunday. "It takes a village to build this."
The base of the ice castle was built Saturday with about 20 to 25 volunteers working from around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Despite the frigid temperature Saturday, crews made good progress.
"It was cold but these guys worked really hard," Travis said. "They did really good."
The task was a little easier Sunday when temperatures inched into the 30s.
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The crew from Wee Kut Ice Company cut the ice blocks and floated them to shore.
The blocks - estimated to weigh nearly 600 pounds - were brought onto sandy Saulsbury Beach in front-end loaders.
Then, clamped tight in a large ice tong, the blocks were slowly hoisted in the air by a crane and dangled in the air before being gingerly set in place by volunteers standing upon the top level of the ice wall.
"I think we all hit the ground once or twice," Travis said, but - so far - there had been no injuries.
The castle features a 20-foot-tall center, flanked by two 16-foot-tall columns. Lights will be strung inside and lit during evening hours.
Winterfest main dates are Jan. 20-28, but the official schedule from the Spicer Commercial Club also highlights several related events that continue into early February. Find more at www.spicermn.com .
