Mardi Gras Casino & Resort held its first Ice Festival competition on January 28, 2012. This event was a big Charleston, WV attraction. There were nine ice carvers that competed in an ice carving competition and some of them coming from as far away as Ohio and Michigan. The ice carvers competed for cash prizes totaling $2,850.00!
The live two-block ice competition started at 4:30 p.m and the carvers had two hours to complete their masterpieces. Charleston’s Mayor Danny Jones, news anchor Kenny Bass and Nitro Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Boggs judged the carvers sculptures on first impression, uniformity/balance, utilization of ice and cleanliness.
Marid Gras patrons iwere not left out of the ice competition. The first 200 patrons in the outdoor grandstand seating area at 6 p.m. received ice scrapers, cash, or Casino Cash and a ticket to vote for the People's Choice Ice Sculpture where a patron could win $500 just for voting and the ice sculptor could win $250!
The Ice Festival competition ended with an awards ceremony. Jeff Meyers from Elegant Ice in Cleveland, Ohio got 1st place $1,000 prize, Chef Leonard Bailey from Mountain State got 2nd place $500 prize and Josh Scotty Jones from Tamarack got 3rd place $250 prize.
Charleston WV’s Biggest Attraction in January
The Ice Festival also consisted of two other fun events, a Beer Tasting at the Big Easy Lounge and $20,000 Cold Hard Cash Giveaway. Patrons were able to sample 30+ different beers during the beer tasting including Hoegaarden, Leffe, and the new Bud Light Platinum. Bridge Brew Works from Fayetteville, WV was able to speak to the patrons about the different styles of beer.
To end the great day of special events we had a $20,000 Cold Hard Cash Giveaway! Five lucky winners had the opportunity to pick from ten ice chests that contained a variable of different cash prizes. Everyone left happy with what they won and one person in particular was ecstatic because he left with $10,000 Cold Hard Cash!
