Dallas has ICE! for Christmas

Today’s Dallas post comes from visiting blogger, Kim Van Patten.  Keep reading here at PlanetEye Traveler for more great stories and information about Dallas from Kim.

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ICE! is back at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center (map) featuring the Dr. Seuss classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

This icy attraction is part of the Gaylord Texan’s annual Lone Star 2009 Christmas celebration.  ICE! Tells the story of The Grinch by recreating scenes from the book in intricately carved, life-size interactive ice sculptures set in a walk-through world of ice.  Some of the sculptures weigh in at more than two tons each.

Mrs. Audrey Geisel, wife of the late Theodor Geisel, creator of Dr. Suess, says, “I am thrilled to see Ted’s creation being used in…well…such a creative way.  It seems right that the Grinch and all the Whos would be carved out of ice.  I think that if Ted were alive, he would be tickled.  This is a wonderful tribute.”

ICE! Is created by dozens of artisans who migrate to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area each year from Harbin, China.  It takes nearly 2 million pounds of ice, and a month of 12-hour shifts, to transform the 9-degree refrigerated tent where the exhibit is held.  If that sounds extreme, it is.  But to the artists, it feels much like home.  In the summer, Harbin hovers at 70 degrees.  But in the winter the average is 2 degrees…sometimes plummeting to -36.  Harbin stays below freezing for almost half the year.

Let’s hope these guys are smart enough not to lick the ice.

ICE! Is open daily from Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, January, 3, including holidays.  For additional information about the ICE! experience and to check dates and times of the attraction go to www.wefrozethegrinch.com.

Photo credit: globaireset @flickr