Despite frigid temperatures, thousands of visitors gathered in Frankenmuth this weekend for the conclusion of Zehnder's Snowfest, a celebrated annual winter festival. The event culminated on Saturday with the announcement of winners across three major snow sculpting competitions, showcasing the remarkable talent of artists from high school to world-class levels.
Teams worked for days, transforming large blocks of snow into intricate sculptures. The festival featured a total of 41 sculptures across the high school, state, and international categories, drawing crowds to admire the temporary art gallery lining the city's streets.
Key Takeaways
- Winners were announced for the High School, State of Michigan, and World Class snow sculpting competitions at Zehnder's Snowfest.
- Corunna High School secured first place in the highly competitive high school division.
- The team of Al Foster, Shaunna Holcolm, and Ryan Leix won the State of Michigan competition with their sculpture "Charon."
- In the World Class single block category, the top prize went to Luke Dehtiar, Max Dehtiar, and Ryan Olszowy.
- The event attracted large crowds despite the cold weather, highlighting its importance as a regional winter attraction.
High School Teams Showcase Emerging Talent
The High School Snow Sculpting Competition saw 18 teams from across the state demonstrate their artistic skills. The students began their work on Thursday morning and had until Friday afternoon to complete their creations.
Corunna High School earned the first-place title. The winning team was composed of students Makenna Brown, Austin Sweet, Kayla Hook, and Kaminee Auge, guided by coaches Robyn Lentz and Kelly Rowe.
The second-place position resulted in a tie between two schools. Frankenmuth High School's team, consisting of Clara Warnick, Siena Bosco, Claire Cable, and Ashleyn Duclos, was recognized for their piece titled "The Tortoise Tempo." They shared the honor with Walled Lake Northern High School Team A, whose sculpture "Myth and Machine" was created by Lola Grant, Kai Maendel, Ella Goodley, and Abby Augustine.
Third place was awarded to Hemlock High School for their sculpture, "Whimsical." The team included Lydia Olinger, Morgan Metiva, Emily Jones, and Kassidy Cavendish.
Competition by the Numbers
- 18 High School Teams
- 15 State of Michigan Teams
- 8 World Class Teams
- 41 Total Sculptures
State Competition Features Mythical and Imaginative Themes
The State of Michigan Snow Sculpting Competition featured 15 teams vying for the top spot. These more experienced carvers began their work on Wednesday evening and concluded Saturday morning.
The first-place prize was awarded to Al Foster, Shaunna Holcolm, and Ryan Leix for their sculpture titled "Charon," depicting the ferryman of Greek mythology. Their work was praised for its technical skill and powerful theme.
Taking second place was the team of Maryn Kisser, Delaney Gross, and Jaedyn Kline with their playful creation, "Bubble Trouble." The third-place winner was "Imagine Dragon," a piece carved by duo Jay Leahy and Robert Flores.
In addition to the juried awards, festival attendees cast their votes for the People's Choice award. This year, the public favored "A Story of Becoming," a sculpture created by Lexi Slominski, Ila Tuller, and Grace Trosin.
World Class Carvers Compete on an International Stage
The longest and most demanding of the events was the World Class Snow Carving Competition. Eight international teams began carving on Monday, working for nearly a full week to perfect their sculptures before the Saturday morning deadline.
This category was divided into single block and double block entries, showcasing monumental works of art.
Single Block Winners
The premier award for first place in the single block division went to Team #3, composed of Luke Dehtiar, Max Dehtiar, and Ryan Olszowy.
The remaining single block placements were as follows:
- Second Place: Team #2 (Mike Leser, Adam Messing, and Nick Bence)
- Third Place: Team #1 (Ryan Flint, Adelyn Szatowski, and Gabriel Husted)
- Fourth Place: Team #4 (Tom Gillman, Jacob Gillman, and Nelson Neiderer)
People's Choice Selections
The public had a strong voice in the World Class category as well. The People's Choice award for the single block division was given to Team #1, led by Ryan Flint. The People's Choice for the double block division was awarded to Team #2, a four-person team consisting of Sandy Dobbelaere, Colby Singer, Kalen Kelly, and Collin Kirkbride.
A Frankenmuth Tradition
Zehnder's Snowfest is an annual event that transforms Frankenmuth into a winter wonderland. Beyond the sculpting competitions, the festival includes fireworks, a warming tent with live music, and various activities for all ages, making it a cornerstone of Michigan's winter tourism season.
While the judging has concluded, the sculptures will remain on display for visitors to enjoy as long as the weather permits. The final day of the festival offers one more opportunity for the public to view these impressive, yet temporary, works of art.