In New Brighton, a yearly winter custom was unveiled on Saturday.
The newest snow sculpture by Austin and Connor Bartz is dedicated to “Sparky,” the sea lion at the Como Zoo in Saint Paul.
Sparky is their greatest invention to yet, standing over 21 feet tall and 48 feet long.
The brothers said to KARE 11 a little over a week ago that the cold weather was making their operation more challenging.
First of all, the two had to truck it in from parking lots all around the city because it was too warm and there wasn’t enough snow. They even made a volunteer request.
Then the temperature fell too far below zero. At Brightwood Hills Golf Course, the brothers had to make do inside a hand-built shed.
“We’re taking sleds of snow from outside on the pond, we’re sledding it inside, bringing it around this way and into the snow factory,” explained Austin, who used heaters to warm up the snow so it’s the right consistency.
On Saturday afternoon, the finished sculpture was unveiled to the public despite the challenges.
While admission to Sparky is free, the brothers are taking donations for WorldVision, a group that provides aid to regions without access to clean water.
