• Saturday-What'sUP February 11 - 06:15 pm

Winter Carnival was in full swing this week at Michigan Tech, here in Houghton. The highlight of the event, is of course the snow statues and I was lucky enough to be able to go along with my Grandson's BHK Headstart class to check them out. We rode around the campus in a wagon pulled by two strong mules, owned by Dale Venerma, from Ontonagon. It was a great way for this group of youngsters to see a good number of the statues and they even had a chance to watch a broomball game in action, too. The statues were quite impressive, even with the lack of snow they had to work with. The two featured here today are a petting zoo, complete with a pumpkin patch and a farm tractor and a replica of Comerica Park, with turnstiles and street signs made of clear ice. They even had a replica of the Wings Stanley Cup there, too, showing off some of the more intricate work these college engineering students put forth for the competition. This year's theme is: From all over the State, What makes Michigan Great. Check out this link for more information and pictures of the winning statues: MTU Winter Carnival 2012.

Good stuff!

Amazing what you can do with ice.

My favorite is the 3rd photo of the precious children from BHK. Thank you, Mary, for braving the cold to share these 'works' with the rest of us.

The team of mules, made me thing of Dolly Parton's song Mule Skinner Blues.

How much snow has there been up there this winter?

Good Morning! What a wonderful time, Mary, to be able to go with your grandson's class, take the wagon ride to see the statues, etc! I love your photos. The statue in your third photo, with your grandson's class in front of it, was built by "Northern Alliance". That statue that won first place in the Residence Halls category this year. My youngest son spent a fair amount of time helping to build that statue, along with many other students in Douglass Houghton Hall (which is the only dorm north of US 41, hence the name). Thank you for showing us many of the products of the Tech students' work for the last month. You made my day! This is a fun time for the Tech students, parents, and the Copper Country community!

Smitty, this year had far more than the record low amount of snowfall. The problem this year was not how much snow fell, but more that it would warm up and melt off a bunch of the snow that was on the ground, before it snowed again.

I do believe I recognize most of these pictures from FB. They're very nice. Love the Detroit sports team's theme. Awesome statues!! Thank you!

Go Michigan! Go Tech! Excellent pics! Thanks Mary~!

Mary, which one is your grandson?

Mary says: Shirley ~ He's the cutest one in the bunch. ;-)
Actually he's the little guy, furthest over on the right side, in the orange jacket. Here's a better look at him, with his Daddy!

Mary, you are right, he is the cutest one!!!

I sure do agree with you, and Janie, he's precious. But then again we don't have to tell Grandma that, do we? Handsome fella beside him, too!
Thanks, Mary.

This year's Winter Carnival theme:
"From all over the State, What makes Michigan Great."

So where's the Pasty statue?!

You've got a good point there, FRNash!:)
But remember, they're supposed to be served warm.