The Fourteenth Annual Vail Winterfest

Opening Sunday, December 20th until the ice melts…

Illuminated Ice Installation – Gore Creek Promenade

Community Lantern Exhibition – International Bridge

Virtual Lantern Making – www.alpineartscenter.org

(Vail, CO) Art in Public Places is pleased to announce the Fourteenth Annual Vail Winterfest this holiday season. Highlighting community, connection, and unity, an installation of 20 illuminated ice sculptures representing lanterns from across the globe will take place along the Gore Creek Promenade. Opening Sunday, December 20th, wander through this magical display during the day or at dusk when the lanterns will glow until 10 p.m. This picturesque setting allows for a safe socially distanced art experience in our crisp mountain air.

The variety of sculpted lanterns will reflect Vail’s presence as an international mountain resort community. Despite the separation we have all experienced over the past year, our connection internationally will be shared with our guests this winter. The ice lanterns will showcase influences from Vail’s friendship cities including Yamanouchi, Japan; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and St. Moritz, Switzerland, along with a variety of other designs creating a positive beacon of light.

Premiering alongside the ice sculptures will be an exhibition of nearly 100 lanterns created by local students over the past several months. The International Bridge serves as the perfect setting to display these hand painted lanterns representing our year-round Vail community. “We have these festivals so that we can see the light and peace in a person,” Meriella, seven-year-old student at Vail Mountain School.

Art in Public Places invites guests and residents to create their own lantern through video instruction with Alpine Arts Center. Reserve your free lantern kit through Art in Public Places, so you can create your own personal lantern at your leisure. Lantern kits and video instruction will be available starting December 14th. While we want to accommodate all who wish to create lanterns there will be a limited supply. Contact Molly Eppard at meppard@vailgov.com / 970-479-2344 to reserve your kit.

Share your lantern for display on a designated shepherd hook placed in the four corner planter beds of the International Bridge. You may also share your lantern virtually from the comfort of your home or lodging on social media via #artinvail # vailwinterfest #vailgov #vaillanterns #discovervail.

While the Lantern Making Workshops and Lantern Walk will not occur as in the past, the reimagined Fourteenth Annual Winterfest will be a festive celebration of light to continue this beloved family tradition.

Information about the Fourteenth Annual Vail Winterfest may be found on www.artinvail.com or contact Molly Eppard, Art in Public Places Coordinator meppard@vailgov.com / 970-479-2344.

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