BTU Spotlight -- Flying Penguin Ice

Each holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, families across Texas make their way to Moody Gardens in Galveston to marvel at Ice Land, an enchanting winter wonderland filled with brilliantly colored ice sculptures. What many visitors may not know is that the magical ice blocks that bring this attraction to life are crafted by a longtime Bryan Texas Utilities’ customer: Flying Penguin Ice. From their facilities in Bryan, this specialized ice manufacturer has been adding color—and holiday cheer—to Ice Land for more than a decade. 

Flying Penguin Ice has been a trusted ice supplier in the Brazos Valley for nearly 50 years. The business began as a beer distributor, delivering kegs around the Bryan/College Station area. As the years went on, the beer business dwindled, but the ice business grew. Owner, Robert Heath, transitioned to solely focus on ice, and Flying Penguin Ice was born. Large coolers filled with bagged ice featuring the recognizable flying penguin artwork can be found at convenience and grocery stores around the Bryan/ College Station area. However, it’s the production of unique block ice that makes the local business stand out.

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Ice Land at Moody Gardens
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Ice Land at Moody Gardens

When Moody Gardens began dreaming up Ice Land—a holiday installation carved by master ice sculptors from China—they sought out Flying Penguin Ice to make their vision a reality. The Flying Penguin team specializes in creating crystal-clear and colored ice blocks perfect for carving wintry scenes. The blocks are created in special machines that circulate sub-freezing saltwater around the basins to quickly freeze rectangular slabs. 

While creating crystal clear ice is more complicated that one might think, it’s the colored ice that took some research. “It was trial and error to find best way to create vibrant colors in the ice,” Manager, Wesley Spelbring said. 

The team at Flying Penguin Ice found that using a proprietary blend of child-safe paint and milk produces the best color distribution. The paints and dyes are child-safe to ensure that any curious attendees do not get a surprise if they cannot resist licking the ice. Moody Gardens requests custom colors each year to fit their theme, anything from frosty blues to festive reds and greens. Each color requires experimentation to find the perfect blend.

The power-intensive nature of Flying Penguin Ice’s work requires consistent and reliable electricity, especially when it comes to freezing large volumes of ice in varying colors. Flying Penguin Ice’s production facilities rely on BTU to keep their operations running smoothly. With BTU’s support, the team can create and store hundreds of ice blocks to ensure a continuous supply for Ice Land, which uses over 1 million pounds of ice each year. 

“We’re grateful for BTU’s partnership,” Spelbring says. “Keeping our facilities running without interruption is critical, especially when we’re on a tight timeline for Ice Land. BTU’s reliable service helps make our job possible.” 

Flying Penguin Ice begins the process of freezing and storing the blocks in February then deliver the blocks in October, each year. The magic of the holiday display takes nearly all year to produce. From candy-cane-striped walkways to towering ice castles, Ice Land’s sculptures embody the spirit of the season. Flying Penguin Ice’s contribution makes it all possible, bringing a unique holiday experience to thousands of visitors. As families stroll through the icy exhibits, admiring each carefully crafted detail, they can thank Flying Penguin Ice and the reliable power from BTU. Ice Land’s memorable Christmas tradition wouldn’t be possible without a little magic from Bryan.

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Ice Land at Moody Gardens
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Ice Land at Moody Gardens