SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) - Upstate New Yorkers are accustomed to seeing plenty of ice at this time of year, but they've never seen it like this: a new drive-thru display at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse features upwards of 80 sculptures carved from more than 150,000 pounds of ice blocks. This holiday display, which is the first of its kind at the fairgrounds, was the brainchild of Stanley Kolonko, owner of The Ice Farm in East Syracuse. His business provides sculptures for weddings, banquets, buffets, and parties, so it's taken a major hit this year when the pandemic cancelled or postponed many of those types of events. Kolonko hopes this display can help his business stay afloat and offer something to a restless public.
"Well, I'm hoping it helps me through," Kolonko said. "Usually my winter months are quite busy. January and February are my busiest; there’s no business. So, I’m hoping this helps me get through. Plus, they get out of the house, they get to see something unique. Hopefully, they're just inspired and see some nice artwork, something different." Drive-thru events, like the Lights on the Lake display in Onondaga County, have proven popular this yearas many people are itching to celebrate the holiday season safely. The Ice Sculpting Masters drive-thru event ends January 3.