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MOODY GARDENS REVEALS THE FIRST ICE SCULPTURE OF SCENE ONE FOR THIS YEAR’S NEWLY THEMED ICE LAND
GALVESTON, Texas (September 29, 2016) With 43 days remaining until opening day of Moody Gardens’ ICE LAND: Ice Sculptures, A Caribbean Christmas, a team of 32 master ice carvers from Harbin, China is working swiftly with chainsaws and ice picks as they revealed the first sculpture of Scene One, a replica ice pyramid of the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. These award-winning members of the CAA Harbin Ruijing Carving Team are the sole sculptors of the only ice sculpture exhibition on the Gulf Coast set to open Nov. 12 at Moody Gardens with a brand new theme.
The inspiration for ICE LAND came from the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival in China, where over 3,000 of the world’s top artisans create a 100-acre walk-through Ice Park featuring thousands of immense ice sculptures. Although it is on a smaller scale, the creation of ICE LAND presents its own unique challenges on the subtropical island of Galveston. A 28,000 sq. ft. insulated tent structure was erected on the Moody Gardens property in September. It has been chilled and held at a temperature of nine degrees as the ice carving team works to sculpt seemingly ordinary 300-pound blocks of ice into towering and majestic works of art showcasing the beautiful marine life inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico. The team will work in shifts around the clock for the remaining 43 days to bring this unique walk-through holiday attraction to life. The CAA Harbin Ruijing Carving Team is led by chief ice and snow carving artist Mr. Qui, Guanghui, who has received top honors in numerous international tournaments including the Harbin International Ice and Snow Carving tournament as well as the Chinese National Ice Carving Competition.
“Witnessing our team of ice carvers in action is an amazing experience,” said John Zendt, Moody Gardens President and CEO, “they are already hard at work creating the magnificent sculptures for this year’s brand new theme, A Caribbean Christmas. We are eager to share their accomplishments with families this holiday season.”
In its third year, ICE LAND will have guests embark on a breathtaking underwater journey from the shores of Galveston Island through the Gulf of Mexico. As they explore the oceans depths, they will discover sunken treasure and see Christmas surprises along the way. An ice slide takes the form of a towering oil rig and gives an opportunity to venture through the beautiful Flower Garden Banks for encounters with spectacular schools of colorful tropical fish, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, Hammerhead sharks and more on the way to their Caribbean island destination. There is even an opportunity to enjoy some festive holiday spirits inside of ICE LAND at the brand new Shiver’s Ice Bar.
ICE LAND will offer a unique holiday experience for the entire family and will be open November 12 through January 8, as Galveston makes its transition into the Winter Wonder Island. Admission for adults is $26.95, $21.95 for seniors and $15.95 for children. A Value Days discount of $5.00 is available
Contact InformationCourtney Carr
Office: 409-683-4209Cell: 409-370-4585
[email protected] Hamachek
Cell: [email protected]
Sunday through Thursday, November 15 – December 17 excluding Thanksgiving Day. Special packages are available for groups of 20 or more.
For more information call 1-800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org .
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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