Visiting Hamilton will be almost like a trip around the world this weekend as the biannual IceFest presents “Landmarks of the World.”

The event includes approximately 75 sponsored sculptures lining the sidewalks and placed in the plaza at the Government Services Center.

Many of them will be in keeping with the theme “Landmarks of the World,” and will include ice renditions of Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Cinderella’s Castle, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower. Local and regional landmarks such as Hamilton’s Lane-Hooven House and Lane Public Library and Cincinnati’s Union Terminal and Tyler Davidson Fountain will also be represented.

The sculptures will be illuminated with colored lights for the Friday evening Technicolor Ice Walk, and Artic Diamond artists will create a special sculpture that will be set on fire for the Fire and Ice event at the Courtyard by Marriott. There is also a ticketed Fire and Ice Gala inside the Courtyard. Tickets are $25 per person and available at the front desk.

On Saturday, seven world-class ice sculptors from around the country will compete for cash prizes. Visitors can get in on the action by voting for the People’s Choice Award, which will be presented 5 p.m. Saturday at the Courtyard by Marriott.

There will also be three student competitors from Oakland Community College in Michigan who will be qualifying for the National Collegiate Finals and special “speed carving” demonstrations.

IceFest is expected to draw between 25,000 and 30,000 people to downtown Hamilton. Except for the ticketed portion of the Fire and Ice Gala, everything is free, including admission to ArtFest in the Government Services Center and BookFest at Ryan’s Tavern.

There will be a children’s area featuring miniature golf, Storytime by the Lane Public Library and an ice throne photo spot. The Bookmoblie will be parked on Court Street.

Visitors also get in on the action by submitting their photos to the IceFest Photography Contest, with cash prizes of up to $15o in the adult and $75 in the student category. Entry forms will be available at the Hamilton Visitor’s Center, Community Design Alliance or the Courtyard by Marriott, or online at www.cityofsculpture.org.