![\"ice](\"http:\/\/www.sandstoneicefest.com\/IceFest_Artwork\/icefest2013\/wave_climber_cutout_tiny.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFestival Milestone<\/strong>s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2005<\/strong> The First Festival. The Sandstone Ice Festival had its beginnings in the spring of 2005 when Tony Vavricka and small group of climbers approached the city of Sandstone, Minnesota to discuss the possibility of farming ice and establishing a local ice climbing festival in Robinson Park Quarry. To make ice for the festival. 2006<\/strong> First ever Frozen Kettle Chili Cook-off, a tradition is born. It all started with a couple of climbers wanting to share a warm meal. The Chili Cook-off has become an annual Ice Festival tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2007<\/strong> Ice Climbing Elvis makes a surprise visit to the Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2009<\/strong> Professional ice climber Dawn Glanc visits the festival and gives a slideshow to a packed crowd of winter sports lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2010<\/strong> The Sandstone Ice Festival gets a shout-out from the National Geographic Explorer Magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2011<\/strong> First year of the Robinson Quarry Ice Park. Organized by voluteer climbiers and supported by the city of Sandstone, city water lines are extended to create Minnesota\u2019s first Ice Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2012<\/strong> Ice Park expanded to add Class II ice providing access to beginner climbers. The Sandstone Ice Festival and local guide service, Hard Water Sports, are featured on WCCO\u2019s Finding Minnesota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2013<\/strong> Sandstone Ice Festival partners with Hard Water Sports to continue to grow and promote the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2014<\/strong> Sandstone Ice Festival celebrates ten years of Iciness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2021<\/strong> ice Festival canceled due to pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Future of the Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 and beyond, the organizers of the Sandstone Ice Festival hope to continue the tradition of providing a venue for safe climbing, to continue to promote active lifestyles and encourage green tourism to the area. With the combined efforts of the many volunteers and the support of the city of Sandstone, Minnesota – we are sure to have many more festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A special thanks goes out to Hard Water Sports<\/a> and the City of Sandstone MN <\/a> for the support they have given to the Sandstone Ice Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tony rented a gas powered pump and from the small pond at the base of the Main ice wall water was lifted by 70 feet to the access shelf flooding the sandstone wall below it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"elvis\"\/](\"http:\/\/www.sandstoneicefest.com\/IceFest_Artwork\/Elvis_on_ice.jpg\")
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