Winter comes just in time

Published 7:04 pm Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rolando de la Garza, a Houston ice artist who goes by Reverend Butter, shreds into a block of ice Thursday at Riverfront Park in Niles. He and Niles carver Danny Bloss were working on an ice "air hockey table without the air." The Hunter Ice Festival officially gets under way today. Daily Star photo / AARON MUELLER

Mild temperatures and rain gave way to a blast of cold air and blowing snow Thursday, much to the joy of ice artists Danny Bloss and Reverend Butter.

Bloss, of Niles, and Butter, from Houston, said they got a slow start on their projects Thursday due to the weather. They were working on an “interactive ice park” that will include an ice air hockey table, ping pong table and bowling pins, all of which will be available to use during the festival beginning Friday.

Friday night will feature a timed “Ice Fights” competition 8 p.m. at the Riverfront Amphitheater, featuring 1,200 pounds of ice to be carved. Also Friday is the Four Flags Players’ Murder Mystery Dinner 7 p.m. at the Bell Building.

Saturday and Sunday are filled with activities as well. For a full schedule, visit www.huntericefestival.org.