Fairbanks garnered worldwide attention during the past few weeks for the World Ice Art Championships. News organizations from around the country clamored to the ribbon cutting ceremony that featured Gov. Frank Murkowski and movie and T.V. star John Leguizamo, who was promoting his latest movie, the animation "Ice Age 2." Leguizamo lent his voice to Sid, the sloth.

A large crowd gathered around the edge of a frozen pond March 12 in an area like an amphitheater. Ice stairs lined the sides, but only press were allowed close to the stage. As the sun set, the snow and ice took on a bluish color while the cold crowd eagerly awaited the governor and Leguizamo.

Murkowski rode into view on a dogsled followed by Leguizamo. Both gave brief speeches. A cold Leguizamo greeted the crowd and complimented the governor, mistaking Murkowski for the mayor. Leguizamo said that after being in Fairbanks he would never complain about the cold in New York again. He praised the friendliness of the Alaskans he encountered and said his kids really enjoyed the children's ice park.s

For the official opening of the park, Murkowski and Leguizamo cut through an ice ribbon with blowtorches. The delicate ribbon was spread across the stage and melted quickly. When it shattered on the ground the crowd applauded and the media pushed to talk to the celebrity. Out of the cast of "Ice Age," Leguizamo said he "was the only one willing to come up here." He said that he always wanted to see Alaska, and in consideration of global warming, thought he ought to get up here before the state thawed out.

Aside from the celebrity frenzy the park was like a winter wonderland. The Ice Park was crowded with people looking at the ice sculptures. Puffy children with red noses shrieked as they slid down the ice slide in the children's park. An enormous ice block carved in the likeness of the mammoth from "Ice Age II" seemed to watch them from its high vantage.

The Ice Park is open until March 26.