Family-friendly exhibition to run from November until March
(Macao, Nov. 20, 2013) – Ice World, a fun-filled and frosty exhibition all carved in ice by talented craftsmen from Harbin, makes its home at The Venetian® Macao for the third year in a row beginning Nov. 21. Supported by the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang features much-loved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Macao landmarks, and winning entries from a local community drawing competition. Ice World is one of the many exciting activities available during the spectacular Winter at Cotai Strip, which turns Cotai Strip Resorts Macao into a delightful wintry wonderland, with charming stringed lights; a giant lit Christmas tree, a real ice rink, Christmas markets, non-stop entertainment and an eye-popping 3-D light and sound show.
Wednesday afternoon saw the Ice World opening ceremony at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo Hall F, where it will be open to the public 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Nov. 21, 2013 to Mar. 16, 2014, with tickets priced at MOP/HKD 100 per person.
The ceremony was officiated by Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office; Huang Hang Qian, Director-General of Department of General Affairs of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao; Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd.; Mark McWhinnie, Senior Vice President of Operations of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and Sands® Cotai Central and Bai Wei, General Manager of Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd. The five officiating guests each helped pour a glass of prehistoric potion into an ice sculpture on stage, brought in by Belt from the movie “The Croods,” symbolising the official opening of this year’s Ice World exhibition.
“Ice World is becoming an annual tradition and signature event at The Venetian Macao,” said Mr. Tracy. “Our last two exhibitions were immensely popular, with more visitors than we had even anticipated. Adding the magic of the DreamWorks Experience at Cotai Strip Resorts to this year’s event brings in a fun new element for our visitors to enjoy.”
Asia’s biggest indoor ice event, with over 1,600 square metres of space, returns to The Venetian Macao following the incredible success of the last two years’ exhibitions. Crafted once again by famous Harbin craftsmen from the world-renowned Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd., this year’s exhibition will be themed after the unique DreamWorks Experience, with visitors able to view some of the animation world’s most famous characters sculpted from ice.
Visitors to the exhibition will have a chance to experience a magical winter land journey through seven different zones featuring famous Macao landmarks and favourite DreamWorks characters such as Shrek, Princess Fiona, Alex and the gang from “Madagascar,” and Po from “Kung Fu Panda,” just to name a few. Families are sure to love the ice slide as they whizz down at breathtaking speeds.
Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang also features the debut of the two newest characters to join the DreamWorks Experience at Cotai Strip Resorts: Tigress from “Kung Fu Panda” and Belt from “The Croods.” Each will be carved into ice, and visitors can also see and interact with them at Sands Cotai Central. Tigress will be joining her DreamWorks pals at Shrekfast starting Nov. 21, entertaining breakfast-goers and providing memorable photo opportunities; and keen-eyed visitors might just run into the cute and cuddly Belt and his hug-worthy long arms at the Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central main lobby.
Wednesday’s opening ceremony also included the announcement of the winners of a local community drawing competition. The competition drew favourable attention from schools and the wider community alike, with a total of 75 submissions from 12 community centres and 13 local schools received. Six winning entries are carved in ice and on display at Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang for the duration of the exhibition. They include the top prize in the School Group, Wong Hoi Ian from Escola Nossa Senhora De Fatima, and the top prize in the Community Group, Kuok Chio Ieng from Macau College Students Development Association.
The temperature in Hall F is set at a chilly minus 8 degrees Celsius. Visitors are strongly advised to wear hats, gloves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Hooded coats are available in varying sizes at the exhibition for adults and children to borrow; hats, gloves and socks may also be purchased. Shoe rentals are also available in limited quantities and sizes.
Dubbed “the coolest experience in town,” Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang is sure to be a popular family draw with its colourful displays and fun-filled activities this winter season. Tickets are priced at MOP/HKD 100 per person, with a minimum age of three required for entry. For more information please visit www.venetianmacao.com/ice-world.
In addition, a limited-time Ice World Package at The Venetian Macao offers hotel guests the iconic integrated resort’s renowned service and amenities with the added benefit of complimentary entry to Ice World. Rates start at HKD1,798* for stays between Nov. 25, 2013 and Feb. 28, 2014, with bookings available from now until Feb. 28, 2014, online atwww.venetianmacao.com/ice-world, via travel agents or by phone at +853 2882 8875 or 800 906 975 (Hong Kong toll-free).
Photo caption: Company executives and invited dignitaries, together with Tigress from “Kung Fu Panda”, officiate the opening ceremony for Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang Wednesday at The Venetian Macao. The exhibition runs from Nov. 21, 2013 to Mar. 16, 2014 at Cotai Expo Hall F.
