T R A V E L L I T E
ICE! Is Icing on the Cake at Gaylord at National Harbor
by Annie Tobey
he holidays make a year-round treat tastier at the region’s newest waterside
T
destination. Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center presents Christmas
on the Potomac; their location at National Harbor makes the presentation even
sweeter.
In the showpiece of this holiday offering, two million pounds of ice in 5,000 blocks
have been carved by 40 masters in the art from Harbin, the site of the renowned Ice
and Snow World Park in China’s Heilongjiang Province. In Gaylord National’s 15,000
square-foot ICE! exhibit, these artists have crafted a multitude of figures from three different
kinds of ice—clear, white, and colored—illuminated with theatrical lighting from inside
and out. Ten magical scenes present a variety of winter wonders, including whimsical
penguins at the North Pole, polar bears, a horse-drawn sleigh, four icy slides in a
Christmas castle guarded by soldiers and turrets; Santa Claus; and a manger scene.
The exhibit was arranged for visitors by the Gaylord special events team. “This is
one of the things that makes Gaylord special,” says Amie Gorrell, Director of Public
Relations. “In all of our hotels we have a special events team, not just one person, a team
of people who are dedicated to doing special events year round…. Gaylord hotel’s
history is very rooted in entertainment. Having all sorts of fun and entertainment and
unexpectedly unique things is part of your visit to a Gaylord hotel.”
ICE! will be open till January 10, 2010. The exhibit is housed in a chilled, insulated
tent kept at a frigid nine degrees. Parkas are provided, but gloves and warm shoes are
highly recommended!
There’s more to Christmas on the Potomac—other decorations atop the icing. Inside
the resort’s 20-story atrium, two million lights stretching 12.27 miles provide a backdrop
for seasonal entertainment. A 60-foot “candy” glass tree rises from below and curtains of
Northern Lights flow from the ceiling. Each night, the 6 p.m. tree lighting is accompanied
by music, synchronized lights, and a dancing fountain. At seven, musicians perform, and

DECEMBER 2009
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