40th Annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition Awards
Important Update: Correction to the 2026 Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition Results
After conducting a secondary review of the scoring sheets, a point calculation error was identified that affected the final standings in the State Division. As an organization that prides itself on transparency and on celebrating the incredible talent of our sculptors, it is important that each team receives accurate recognition for their hard work.
The corrected 2026 State Division winners are:
1st Place - Cave People from Space: “Creature from the Snack Lagoon”
2nd Place - Windy City Snowmen: “Our Founding Father”
3rd Place - Snowbra Kai: “The Witch King”
We have also reviewed our internal tallying procedures to ensure this does not happen again. We sincerely apologize to the teams involved, their supporters, and our community for this oversight. We have personally reached out to the affected teams to discuss the corrected results and provide the appropriate trophy to the winning team.
High School Division Winners:
Linda K. White Spirit Award - Roosevelt Community Education Center: “Croc-A-Doodle-Do”
Fred Gardner Award - Guilford High School: “Frostbite”
Artist’s Choice Award - Keith Country Day School: “eXes and snOs”
People’s Choice Award - Rockford Christian High School: “Wrap Music”
3rd Place Award - Belvidere North High School: “Monkey Business”
2nd Place Award - Rockford Lutheran High School: “Chicken of the Sea”
1st Place Award - Byron High School: “Guardian of Innocence”
In all thirteen state teams and ten high school teams participated in this year’s event.
The Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition is a free, family-friendly community winter event organized by the Rockford Park District that draws artists, families, and winter enthusiasts from across the region to showcase large-scale sculptures crafted from compacted snow blocks.
“This competition creates meaningful opportunities for young sculptors to learn from experienced artists, fosters community pride, is a major winter tourist draw, and gives residents and visitors a fun way to enjoy life during the cold winter months,” said Kellie Olivencia, Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition Coordinator.
