‘World class’ artists on display at West Fargo’s POW/MIA Plaza

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO — “It will blow your mind.”

That was the promise West Fargo Events Executive Director Mike Amundson made to West Fargoans before a surprise display came to life at the POW/MIA Plaza, 400 Sheyenne St., in January.

“It’s going to be something like you’ve never seen before; it will be seriously impressive to the point you are not going to believe it,” the enthusiastic Amundson said before construction began.

West Fargo officials and West Fargo Events staff kept the exact details of the surprise close to the vest but in the weeks leading up to Jan. 14 when a Shamrock Ice Sculptors descended into West

Fargo to create a life size display of art work carved from nearly 40 blocks of ice. The display was inspired by an idea from West Fargo Public Library staff who suggested bringing the children’s story, “Ten In a The Sled” to life.

Amundson said the display is one of the biggest in the nation, not just West Fargo.

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“People will get the opportunity to have world class art right in front of them, if they just go out of their doorstep,” Amundson said.

The POW/MIA Plaza is next to West Fargo’s famed VFW and is owned by the city, but managed by West Fargo Events, along with the Essentia Health Plaza at the Lights on southern Sheyenne Street.

As The Lights just wrapped up hosting a major hockey tournament and will continue to host open skating and other events throughout the winter, Amundson said the POW/MIA Plaza could not be forgotten.

“That plaza means so much to the heart of West Fargo, we can’t forget about that for the entire course of the winter,” he said. “When you look at all the things going on in West Fargo, don’t forget about the POW/ MIA Plaza, because that thing can really pop.”

Readers can reach West Fargo editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm. com or 701-241-5530.

Detail of one of the ice sculptures at the West Fargo POW/MIA Plaza along Sheyenne Street in West Fargo.

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