The owner of Valley Plaza has a unique way to celebrate the Chinese New Year and bring prosperity to the community.
Freeman Yam commissioned local artist Vicki Myers to create an ice sculpture of a rat at Valley Plaza. Outside Yavis Restaurant on the patio the large carving is on display, complete with lights to illuminate it at night. This is to celebrate the year of the rat.
“We tried to create some fun and say thanks to all the local people, and we worked together to make it happen,” he said. “We really appreciate her (Myers’) participation making the ice sculpture.”
He said they began working on the sculpture in December, working with 4 Elements Environment Control to build the frame and prepare the ice.
Yam believes Drumheller would be a great place, with the dinosaur heritage, to have more ice statues throughout the winter. It could serve as an attraction.
“If we could learn from other countries. Drumheller is the best location in the world, we could do the whole town in the wintertime, we could have ice sculptures and snow sculptures with the dinosaur theme,” he said.
“We want to encourage the people and then if the whole downtown can do it with that theme and it can attract people to stay longer.”
“It will bring the town prosperity, wealth, and health for everyone.”
