Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition

The snow sculpting event started with a chance encounter and a vision. In 1985, two local businessmen, Dennis Johnson and Brian Hampton, were snowmobiling in northern Wisconsin. They happened upon a winter carnival and a snow sculpture done by a young couple. They made the first part of their vision happen by bringing the young couple to Rockford in January, 1986 to sculpt the American Eagle, Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell near the Sinnissippi Park Greenhouse. Many Rockford Park District staff helped execute the large creations by Jim and Bev Neihaus of Eagle River, WI.
The following summer Dennis Johnson was informed about a group in Milwaukee that sanctioned state and national competitions. He and Rockford Alderman Frank Beach flew to Milwaukee the following day, and Rockford became the host city for the first Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition in 1987.