How to make Ice Candles

  1. Fill a few pails, or any deep plastic containers, with water to within an inch of the top. If you want a coloured ice candle add food colouring to the water.
  2. After sunset place the containers outside on a thick piece of rug, folded blanket or a newspaper (to insulate the bottom) and leave them overnight. A minimum of -10º C is best so take advantage of the cold nights. The water will freeze from the outside inward and get thicker the longer you leave it out. Unless you leave it out too long, the center will still be liquid and because you insulated the bottom it should also still be unfrozen.
  3. In the morning, bring the containers inside for 5 – 10 minutes to thaw and loosen the sides a little.
  4. Once loose, bring one back outside, carefully flip the container upside down and lift it off the ice candle. Some unfrozen water will pour out while doing this so choose your spot well. You could also do this in your bathtub or sink quite easily.
  5. Break away the thin layer of ice that may have formed on what is now the top of the ice candle and pour the remaining (coloured) water into an empty container for re-use. Repeat step 4 and 5 with the other containers.
  6. Place the Ice Candle outside preferably in a shaded area.

Et voilà! An ice candle is born ready for a tea light or two.

Be creative. Try out odd shapes and sizes, colouring techniques or imbedded objects or fruit slices.

You can also use your freezer if the nights are not cold enough.

 

 

Wakefield Dragon Festival

January 31st, 2009

“FIRE IN THE BELLY OF THE DRAGON!”, this year’s festival is a one day only! Saturday, January 31st starting at 10 AM with a kids hockey tournament and moving onto games and skidding all ‘round, on-ice waitering competition, tug o’ war (Winter vs Spring), lighting of the ice candles, ice candle parade and big wonkin’ bon fire complete with fire-eaters, fire-jugglers!!
You can help ignite the mountain of ice candles and set the festival on fire!
Start making as many as you can now and bring them down to the Recreation Centre to help make this a bright and awesome festival. For further details call Louis Rompré at 459-3233