Carver wants a Wasilla competition

When Tony Hartgrove looks across the Parks Highway from Great Bear Brewing Company, where he is the kitchen manager, he has a different vision.

Instead of seeing the snow covered bank adjacent to the railroad track going unused, he sees international ice carvers exhibiting their talent during February. Hartgrove has been working to try to make Wasilla a stop on the international ice carving circuit.

"I'd love to see an international event here," Hartgrove said. "Fairbanks has one of the best international competitions of the year, and a competition here could be a stepping stone to that event."

Hartgrove said the biggest hurdle has been getting sponsors for the event, which could cost up to $60,000. He tried to get the event organized for this year, but the biggest stumbling point has become getting room and board covered for the carvers.

"The Great Bear said they'd feed them, and United Rentals said they'd provide the power tools and the electricity for the event, but finding a place for them to stay has been tough," Hartgrove said. "We've also been talking to the Alaska Railroad about providing transportation from Fairbanks to bring in a lot of the ice."

Hartgrove said that Wasilla, and the Valley in general, could benefit from hosting an ice carving event, if only because of the exposure to the craft.

"Wasilla is really lacking in the arts. We have the performing arts, and that's about it out here," Hartgrove said. "I know there are a lot of artists living here, but they don't have the chance to show off their art. This is a chance to bring a little culture to the Valley for a change."

Anchorage used to host an event prior to the Fairbanks competition, but because of a lack of donations to support the event, it folded several years ago. That is perplexing to Hartgrove, who said that international ice carving events bring international exposure to businesses.

"In Anchorage, we had National Geographic there twice," Hartgrove said. "It's been on the national news and in Alaska magazine all the time. For a sponsor, we do a huge carving of their logo for the event, and that is in pictures all around the world."

For now, Hartgrove is busy carving and competing in events, but he is confident his vision will pan out and Wasilla will host an international event next year.

"You'd think Alaska, a land of snow and ice, would be an easy sell for an international ice carving competition," Hartgrove said.