Ice sculptors prepare for Hunter Ice Festival in Niles

NILES, Mich. -- It may feel pretty warm for January right now, but things are sure to be ice-cold this weekend in Niles!

Large blocks of ice arrived today for the city's Hunter Ice Festival and carvers got to work right away creating sculptures for the big event!

Ice trucks were brought in to keep the ice cold until the temps drop later this week.

Carvers say they love the reaction they get from the crowds.

“You know when you get done with something, you have accomplished something, and its beautiful. Ice is just beautiful. You light it up and people are just in awe and then getting reaction from the people and they just love it. That’s a lot,” said Burr Rasmussen, an ice sculptor.

The festival kicks off on Thursday and runs through Monday.