Sculptors from around the world will create well over 100 works of ice during the event, which is held in the city's Ice Park. This year's theme is "Celebrating the North: The International Polar Year 2007-2008."
The event also includes a four-acre Kids Park with a maze, slides, tunnels, a larger-than-life polar bear and other whimsical structures - all made entirely from ice.
The ice, which is harvested from a pond with a forklift, is clear but glows a natural pale blue. Lights and paint are also used to color some of the creations, which are carved with chainsaws and other tools.
The competition for sculptures made from single 5-by-8-foot blocks of ice begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26 and ends with judging 60 hours later on Feb. 28 at 9 p.m. A second competition, for works made from up to 10 blocks of ice measuring 4 by 6 feet each, begins March 2 and ends with the judging 132 hours later on March 7.
Some teams work around the clock, and the public can watch the works in progress whenever the park is open - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Water is used to glue the blocks together; some of the sculptures will stand 25 feet high. All the finished pieces remain on view until the festival ends. Shades are erected to protect the works from direct sunlight. Temperatures in Fairbanks can be in the 30s in late February and March.
Amateur sculpting and a high school competition are on the program too.
Details about the event are at http://www.icealaska.com , where you'll also find a live Web cam once the competition gets under way.
If you do make the trip to Fairbanks for the festival, your itinerary should include a stop at the University of Alaska's Museum of the North as well as a night away from the city lights to view the northern lights. For help in planning a trip, contact the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau , http://www.explorefairbanks.com .