The ICE! holiday show at Gaylord Palms, long an annual holiday tradition in Osceola County, will make a triumphant return this November and December after a two-year hiatus.
The colorful display of ice sculptures displayed in convention area chilled to single-digit Fahrenheit temperatures (parkas are provided) was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While restrictions eased in 2021, the event couldn’t be held last year because travel restrictions prevented the artists to travel from China. It all sounds like the virus was a Grinch, taking away the show. Isn’t it ironic, then, that the theme for this year’s ice art show, running Nov. 18 through Jan. 1, will be “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
In the Dr. Seuss book of that name, the Grinch, is unable to feel the Christmas spirit, due to a bad attitude caused by having an undersized heart. After decrying that the holiday shall not come to the town of Whoville, he goes on a Christmas Eve crusade and steals all of the town’s holiday décor, presents and festive foods (“He took the Who’s feast! He took the Who pudding! He took the roast beast!”) When the day breaks, instead of hearing the townsfolk crying, he hears them singing, and the Grinch realizes “Christmas means a little bit more” than gifts and grand meals. His heart “grew three sizes that day,” and, overwhelmed with holiday spirit, he returns everything he took from Whoville, and the townsfolk invite him to stay for their Christmas feast.
Over 40 sculptors will carve into two million pounds (1,000 tons) of ice, food coloring and lighting to create the characters and storyline from the Dr. Seuss classic.
