By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
There’s a new “Nutcracker” in town, and it’s the coolest one around, literally.
The Ice King Nutcracker display is now being presented at Ice King on Route 33 in Tinton Falls until Dec. 31.
Visitors will walk through a lighted pathway into the warehouse where they will enter a colorful, wintery wonderland of bigger than life ice sculptures depicting the main scenes from this popular holiday classic.
Large placards about each sculpture tell the story of Clara and the nutcracker.
Attendees will have to dress for the cold as the ice sculptures must be kept at a steady 15 degrees to maintain their shape.
This magical display was created by Ed Jarrett, an artist who holds four Guiness world records for his work in sand, wood, ice and snow. He began working on the ice sculptures a month ago.
Jarrett earned one of his spots in the Guinness Book of World Records for the tallest sand sculpture of a 38-foot castle on Jenkinson’s beach after Superstorm Sandy.
He learned his craft while attending culinary school, he said.
“My mother called it my starving artist career,” he said.
Jarrett and his partner Betty are currently artists in residence at the Laurita Winery in Jackson.
Jarrett, who hails from Maine, is currently working on another display featuring The Grinch which will be loaded onto refrigerated tractor trailers and shipped to Maine.
Part of Jarrett’s portfolio includes the annual ice villages at the LL Bean store in Freeport, Maine.
Theresa Taylor, who works in accounting at Ice King, said, “Ed’s really impressive.”
The ice sculptures are lit up in festive colors and there will be music playing as visitors walk through.
“It’s something the kids will always remember,” Jarrett said.
He is retired from his 18 year career as the manager of several well known golf courses.
“That was my white collar management career,” he said.
After completing the ice sculpture tour customers can warm up in a large heated tent outside and enjoy hot chocolate and refreshments. Taylor said there will also be crafts, vendors and food.
