There are moments when a community gathers and something shifts quietly, powerfully, and for the better. This year’s World Snow Celebration was one of those moments.

As President of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation, I have the privilege of witnessing our community at work every day. But during the World Snow Celebration, I witnessed our community at heart.

From the time Afton Alps turns on the snow gun to the first truckload of snow into the block to the final award announced, the energy in Stillwater was unmistakable. Artists from around the world arrived not just with tools and talent, but with stories, traditions, and an openness to connection. They carved more than snow, they carved wonder into our downtown, inviting residents and visitors alike to slow down, look closer, and feel something together.

The emotional impact surprised even me.

I watched children stand wide-eyed, tracking every chisel strike as sculptures emerged from massive blocks of snow. I saw grandparents explaining art techniques to curious grandchildren. I heard laughter in the warming tents, spontaneous applause when a detail clicked into place, and quiet moments of reflection as people circled the finished works and just paused. These were not just spectators; they were participants in a shared experience.

For many in our community, winter can feel long and isolating. The World Snow Celebration transformed that season into a source of pride and possibility. It reminded us that winter is not something to endure, it is something we can celebrate together. We are Minnesotans!
Behind the scenes, the emotion ran just as deep. Committee members/volunteers worked countless hours in the cold, not for recognition, but because they believe in Stillwater. Local businesses extended hospitality, opened their doors wider, and welcomed the world with warmth. Sponsors stepped up because they understand that art, culture, and community connection are not extras, they are essential.

And then there were the sculptors themselves. Watching artists from 16 different countries share meals, exchange techniques, care for each other during sickness, chat with our cops, cheer each other on, and speak so fondly of our city was profoundly moving. In a time when division often dominates headlines, this event quietly demonstrated what collaboration, and mutual respect can look like.

The World Snow Celebration is about economic impact, our locals, tourism, and international recognition, and those things matter, and they are real. But what stays with me most is the feeling: the sense that for a few winter days, we were all part of something bigger than ourselves.
This event reaffirmed why the Chamber and its Foundation do what we do. We exist to connect people, to champion experiences that strengthen our local economy and our collective spirit. This year, the World Snow Celebration did exactly that.

To our artists, volunteers, steering committee, sponsors, partners, chamber staff, city staff, and every person who walked through the park with a smile and a sense of wonder, thank you. You turned snow into art, winter into joy, and a community into a global gathering.

And to Stillwater: I have never been more proud.

Winter is no longer just a season here. It is a celebration of who we are. And, it is SNOW much fun!

There's NO business like SNOW business! The sculptures will be up while weather permits and that could be a few extra weeks! Enjoy the beauty!

Cheers! Robin