Two friends from Morden had the opportunity to put their skills to work on the ice harvesting and ice sculpture festivities at The Forks in Winnipeg.

For the second year in a row James Friesen says he and his friend, Earl Dyck were invited by another friend, Winnipeg Architect and former Winkler resident, Peter Hargraves to share their skills. Friesen says he and Dyck have done some timber framing together using traditional chisels and mallets, and as it turns out, those skills and tools translate nicely into ice sculpting.

For the past decade, Friesen notes Hargraves has overseen the international warming hut competition along the Red River skating path and also organizes the ice harvesting and sculpturing events. Although Hargraves coordinates the whole thing, Friesen noted in the last couple of years, he has engaged Luca Roncoroni, an Italian born Norwegian.

Roncoroni is a premier world-class ice carver and is known for doing the Swedish ice palace every year. "He's this modest, gentle, and creative person that we get to work under the direction of," said Friesen.

Over the two days, Friesen and Dyck were working at the Forks, they helped set a stage for a two-night concert by indie pop band Royal Canoe. They also help fashion xylophone keys made out of ice, which will actually be played using another block of ice. The band will play its second of the two free concerts at The Forks tonight from 7-8 pm.

Friesen notes working on a project like this builds relationships. "It puts people together that otherwise wouldn't know of each other, working outside over a few days...it creates good energy."

Friesen says tools used include chainsaws, timber framing chisels and other woodworking tools as well as specialized ice sculpting tools developed by individuals participating in this growing activity.

Friesen says he and Dyck have done some timber framing together using traditional chisels and mallets, and as it turns out, those skills and tools translate nicely into ice sculpting.