NILES, Mich. – The 2019 Hunter Ice Festival participants began their ice carving on Tuesday in Niles.

Professional ice sculptors are working on carving art out of two-hundred blocks of ice.

"I enjoy the sculptors, it's a second family that we have up here. Hearing some of the others talk that it's more of everybody gets excited for this weekend and it's a big weekend around here but for me it's just another week in Niles,” said professional ice sculptor, Dean DeMarais.

The carving will continue all week leading up to the festival which takes place on Friday and Saturday.

Sculptures will range from cartoon characters, to Disney characters, to arctic animals and will be on display at the event. 

"For me this is the first time I've ever done Elsa. I was excited to get to do this one. The movie has been around for several years now and this is the first time I've had the chance to do it,” said DeMarais.

Even games like ping-pong and cornhole will be made out of ice at the festival.

Those attending the event will be able to see these all the sculptures as well as live sculpting at the festival.