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Ice Sculpting and Movie Night a hit at Downtown Commons




Nash Medrano, one of dozens of kids who had the chance to check out mini Grinch carved in ice at Downtown Commons’ showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

Nash Medrano, one of dozens of kids who had the chance to check out mini Grinch carved in ice at Downtown Commons’ showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

Downtown Commons recently hosted its first ever Live Ice Sculpting & Movie Night, after offering this simple invitation; join us to watch an ice sculptor carve a Christmas tree, live.

Hundreds turned out to watch Ron Howard’s 2000 classic film — How the Grinch Stole Christmas, drink hot chocolate, eat cookies and witness first-hand the ice-carving skills of Joshua and Dawson Perry.

“Fort Campbell veteran, and owner of the Burgasm food truck, Joshua Perry, has brought in his son Dawson to help him carve for us this Christmas tree made of ice,” Downtown Commons’ Elizabeth Quinton said. “We want to thank Fort Campbell for donating 1.2 tons of ice for tonight’s event, from which Josh already sculpted a mini Grinch for the kids to take their pictures with, and now he and Dawson are working on the Christmas tree. It’s really something to watch them work.

“This is our first time doing something like this, but hopefully this will be the start of a new tradition in downtown Clarksville. We didn’t know what to expect, being that it’s our first time, but we’re showing Jim Carrey’s Grinch, which everyone loves, and we’ve welcomed about 500 people so far.”

Most brought blankets and lawn chairs to Downtown Commons’ first Live Ice Sculpting & Movie Night.T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

Most brought blankets and lawn chairs to Downtown Commons’ first Live Ice Sculpting & Movie Night.T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

A giant high definition screen was set up on the stage. People were scattered around the lawn, most with lawn chairs and/or blankets. Guests at the event were taking advantage of free cookies, churros and other treats from Nicoletta’s Catering. There was also a booth offering hot cocoa bombs. Tater Headz was open for the special event, and people were lined up throughout the evening to enjoy their gourmet potato offerings.

About an hour into the event, the Christmas tree made of ice was finished, and onlookers started lining up to take selfies with the temporary work of art.

“I’ve been ice-sculpting for about 10 years now,” Joshua Perry said. “This Christmas tree project started with 20-inch by 40-inch blocks of ice, about eight of them stacked together. They are basically glued together with a little bit of water.”

Joshua Perry, who has been ice-sculpting for about 10 years, carved an 8-foot Christmas tree and a mini Grinch out of 1.2 tons of ice donated by Fort Campbell.T. MURRAY / Main Street Clarksville

Joshua Perry, who has been ice-sculpting for about 10 years, carved an 8-foot Christmas tree and a mini Grinch out of 1.2 tons of ice donated by Fort Campbell.T. MURRAY / Main Street Clarksville

Perry says he started doing this sort of thing while he was a chef in the Army. “At Thanksgiving we would always go all-out,” Perry continued. “I still love to do this when I get the chance, and it’s fun to work with Dawson. I guess we spent about an hour creating this tree. Based on the size of it, and the weather forecast, it should last for a while.”

Joshua Perry puts the finishing touches on his ice sculpture, an 8-foot Christmas tree at Downtown Commons.T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

Joshua Perry puts the finishing touches on his ice sculpture, an 8-foot Christmas tree at Downtown Commons.T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

Downtown Commons' Elizabeth Quinton estimated 500 or more guests at the venue's first-ever Live Ice Sculpting & Movie Night.T. MURRAY/ Main Street Clarksville

Downtown Commons’ Elizabeth Quinton estimated 500 or more guests at the venue’s first-ever Live Ice Sculpting & Movie Night.T. MURRAY/ Main Street Clarksville

About 500 came out to enjoy an ice sculpting demonstration, and the classic movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” at Downtown Commons.T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

About 500 came out to enjoy an ice sculpting demonstration, and the classic movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” at Downtown Commons.T. MURRAY/Main Street Clarksville

 

 

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