Ice Sculptures

First Night State College ice slide

First Night State College is well known for having one of the largest displays of ice sculpture in Pennsylvania. Our team of ice sculptors erect large ice walls on the 100 block of South Allen Street and carve them into a fantastic array of beasts, people, and monuments. No visit to First Night State College is complete without checking them out and taking a photo or two.

This year’s giant ice carvings are sponsored by:

Excelis Leadership Consulting – the 2024, year of the dragon

Roundhouse Harley-Davidson – the motorcycle

Roundhouse Powersports – the four-wheeler

State College Framing Company & Gallery – the Peace Sign

Penn State Federal Credit Union – the Wishing Well

Our Ice Slide sponsored by PNC Bank  – especially popular with children – is located in Sidney Friedman Park.

The display is only temporary, however. Our giant ice sculptures come down at 6:00 pm on New Year’s Day, unless Mother Nature melts them sooner.

Celebrating their twenty-seventh year, the First Night State College Ice Sculptors will carve nearly 90 blocks—that’s more than 10 tons!–of crystal clear Pennsylvania ice for this year’s First Night. The First Night Ice Sculptors include Jared McAlister, Robert Higareda, Mark Masterangelo, Mitch Shrader, Danny Kissel, Joshua Miller, Kenneth Frederick, Carlos Rivera and Isaiah Winters under the direction of Ice Captain Ernie DiMartino. The large walls and sculptures are created from blocks that are produced in a special Clinebell freezing process that makes beautifully clear ice. First Night State College uses ice blocks manufactured by DiMartino Ice of Jeanette and Strickler Ice Company of Huntingdon.

A grant from State College Borough helps to bring our Ice Sculptors to First Night State College for everyone to watch and enjoy.

First Night Ice Carver in Action

One Block Ice Sculpture Exhibit

10:00 am – 11:00 pm; Downtown, Sidney Friedman Park, and Mayor Welch Plaza

Sponsored by State College area businesses, the One Block Ice Sculpture Exhibit features over eighty-five one block ice sculptures. They are displayed in front of downtown businesses and churches, in Sidney Friedman Park, and on Mayor Welch Plaza in front of the State College Municipal Building. Be sure to bring your camera and allow plenty of time to see our spectacular display!

Interested in sponsoring a One Block Ice Sculpture? Learn more here.

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A First Night button gets you into all performances and some activities – for just $10!

 
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