Popular Minnesota Winter Attraction Faces Uncertain Future

We love to embrace winter in Minnesota, and one way we do that is by enjoying the handful of winter events and attractions throughout the state. But one popular attraction says it's facing an uncertain future.

Since 2012, a family of brothers has made some incredible snow sculptures, all of which have been sea creatures, from a giant whale to a small puffer fish. But the brothers say that this year's sculpture plans are up in the air.

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Due to the growing popularity of the Bartz brothers' yearly creations, the event has grown from just a neighborhood event to a larger event at a city park in the brothers' hometown of New Brighton. But this costs money, and due to the warm winter last year, fundraising is not what they hoped it would be.

To cover the cost of labor, supplies, lighting, gas, lumber, and other costs to build, maintain, and ultimately tear down the sculpture, the brothers are looking for some help through sponsorships and a GoFundMe drive.

The brothers say they need $25,000 just to cover the "upfront costs" of building a sculpture for this upcoming winter. The brothers say they are ready to build something for this year, but due to the rising costs of doing the event, it may not happen.

The brothers want to keep the tradition alive, and they want to keep it a free community event, but in the event that enough money isn't raised, and they don't build a sculpture this year, the money raised will be donated to World Vision "for clean water".

The City of New Brighton says, "The Bartz Brothers face growing challenges. One brother has moved away, and the remaining Brothers sacrifice paying work to bring this beloved project to life, supporting seven additional team members in the process."