Winter Carnival Puzzle Contest, Presented by PuzzleTwist & Priority Courier Experts

All categories are filled for 2023! We are excited! Try again in 2024!

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Are you a master at putting puzzles together? Then this is an event for you! Grab your friends or come with your family for a dueling puzzle competition.

Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 teams in each category to complete their 500 piece puzzle in the time slot.

The puzzle is manufactured by the company behind PuzzleTwist® branded jigsaw puzzles and will be a special keepsake! The competition will be split into five divisions over four time slots – 4 people per team:

TO REGISTER: Click on the bracket below and that will take you to the form.

Adult 1  and Experts   FILLED

Adult 2    FILLED

Adult 3    FILLED

Family With Children and Adult 4  FILLED

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Check-in opens at 8 a.m. Onsite registration will also be available as space allows.

2023 In-Person Event:
Our puzzle contest will take place on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, at the Landmark Center in Downtown Saint Paul.

The contest will feature four divisions:

  • Adult 1 and Experts  FILLED
  • Adult 2  FILLED
  • Adult 3  FILLED
  • Family With Child(ren) and Adult 4 (happening simultaneously but separately)   FILLED

Teams are made up of four individuals, and the cost to participate per team is $60. Sign up early as this event sells out! Spots are reduced per division once again. Our expert division features top-placing finishers from previous Winter Carnival Puzzle Contests who have been personally invited to join us again.  See schedule below. 

Schedule of Events

Saturday, January 28, 2023 – The Landmark Center 
8:00 AM – Adult 1 Experts Check in 
8:30 AM –  Adult 1 Experts Begins
10:00 AM – Adult 1 Experts Ends

10:00 AM –  Adult 2 Check in
10:30 AM – Adult 2 Begins
12:30 PM – Adult 2 ends

12:30 PM –  Adult 3 Check in 
1:00 PM – Adult 3 Begins
3:00  PM – Adult 3 Ends

3:00 PM – Family With Child(ren) and Adult 4 Check in 
3:30 PM – Family With Child(ren) and Adult 4 Begins
5:30  PM – Family With Child(ren) and Adult 4 Ends

In-Person Rules & Regulations:

  • Registration will be held on the North entrance of the building (closest to EcoLab) where there is extra space.
    ~ Only one team member needs to stand in line to register.
  • Teams get to keep the puzzle they worked on, and more copies of the 2023 puzzle PLUS other puzzles from PuzzleTwist® will also be available for purchase after the event.
  • Contestants will be given their puzzle at check in.
  • No early starts! If you open your bag and begin your puzzle before the start of the contest you will be disqualified.
  • Hands only! The use of any puzzle tools, cutting devices, flashlights or phones is grounds for disqualification.
  • Judges will be monitoring the area and watching as teams get close to finishing. When your team is close to finishing, raise your hand and a judge will come to your table to watch you finish and record your time. If a judge is unable to get to your table when you finish please record your own time on the time card provided at your table.
  • Winners will be announced immediately following the competition.
  • Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place teams in all brackets.
     
    ~ There will be extra puzzling opportunities held upstairs to extend your puzzling fun!
    ~ Bring your old puzzles to exchange in the puzzle swap!
            ~ PuzzleTwist will have MANY puzzles for sale!
            ~ We are hoping to have concessions for sale near the Cortile.
    **The same Puzzle will be used for all competitions**

Presented by:

and

Prizes Provided By:


 

2019 Saint Paul Winter Carnival

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the 133rd Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth” since 1886. The Winter Carnival continues to bring family-friendly events and community pride to Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area. 

  • Most events are FREE and open to the public.
  • Events primarily take place in downtown Saint Paul, in and around Kellogg Mall Park and the Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. 
  • Enjoy live entertainment in Kellogg Mall Park, watch ice carvers compete to create the best masterpiece, visit vendor booths, and more!
  • Enjoy hot mulled wine, beer, and other beverages at the ice bar in Kellogg Mall Park.

2023 Individual Block Ice Carving Competition, Artisan Division

The 2023 Individual Block Ice Carving Competition, Artisan Division, starts on January 29 at 9 AM.

Each artisan team will be given 6 suspenseful hours and a couple blocks of ice to bring their frozen masterpieces to life. The Individual Block Ice Carving Competition is guided by a strict set of rules, requiring artists to utilize their best creative thinking and remain incredibly attentive to every detail. Judging immediately follows the completion of the contest.

Be sure to check out the live carvings and the completed designs, which will be on display in Rice Park for the duration of Winter Carnival (weather carnival)!

 

2023 Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition

The 2023 Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition starts Thursday, January 26 at 7 pm and ends Saturday, January 28 at 7 pm.

Each team will be given 48 suspenseful hours and several blocks of ice to bring their frozen masterpieces to life. The Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition is guided by a strict set of rules, requiring artists to utilize their best creative thinking and remain incredibly attentive to all details. Judging immediately follows the completion of the contest.

Be sure to check out the live ice carving and the completed designs, which will be on display in Rice Park for the duration of Winter Carnival (weather permitting)!

Saint Paul Winter Carnival Ice Carvings

Completed carvings may be viewed throughout the Winter Carnival (see open hours below).

This signature Winter Carnival event returned as blocks of ice were transformed into beautiful masterpieces. Endless photo opportunities are available in Rice Park with the completed creations.

Both team and individual ice carving competitions are guided by a strict set of rules, requiring artists to utilize their best creative thinking. Additionally, competitor’s sculptures must be consistent with a sketch that was proposed and selected by the Selection Committee.

The final designs can be viewed throughout Rice Park during the 10 days of Carnival (January 26-February 4, 2023), weekdays 4-10 pm, Saturdays 10 am-10 pm and Sunday 10 am-5 pm.