Rock on Ice Expands to Ashland
Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
If you have had the opportunity to attend a formal function, whether in a social setting or corporate setting, you have probably seen beautiful ice sculptures at the buffet table. If not, most of us have at least seen them on television or in movies.
Rock On Ice is a Columbus/Cincinnati-based company that produces such ice sculptures, and they are expanding into the Ashland area! Jon Maggard, Director of Sales for the company, who also has the ability to make the sculptures, grew up in Ashland and currently makes his home here.
Just how did a guy from Boyd County get into ice sculpting? Maggard has had an interesting life, in that he has worked in several different occupations. In 1999, he attended culinary arts school which resulted in employment as a chef in Columbus. While a culinary student, he was required to take a class in ice sculpting where he met someone that would become an important part of his life.
“My instructor was Greg Butauski,” Maggard said, “who is a world champion ice sculptor. He started Rock On Ice in 1993 and has clients such as the Cincinnati Reds and Columbus Blue Jackets, to name a few.”
Did you know ice sculpting is an Olympic sport? Butauski was captain of the USA ice sculpting team at the 2002 Winter Olympics and is a gold medalist. Among his numerous awards, he is also a Certified Master Carver, of which there are only a few in the entire world. He is certainly well qualified as an instructor.
Maggard learned the tools of the trade, you might say, with Butauski. Those tools include chainsaws, handsaws, chisels, angle grinders, and die grinders. Those are not really tools you would associate with a chef!
Maggard eventually left the restaurant where he was chef and moved back to Ashland in 2009. He gained a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and currently works at Cabell Huntington Hospital. During the pandemic, he decided to further his education and completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration.
“When I completed my Master’s degree,” Maggard explained, “Butauski asked me to come on board with Rock On Ice as Director of Sales. I still work as a nurse as well.”
Rock On Ice not only produces sculptures but also makes specialty cocktail ice cubes. These may have a company logo, a sports or holiday theme, letters, or have various shapes. They can be great for corporate events, weddings, or even reunions. The cubes and ice spheres are available for home use at Ashland Foodfair.
Ice is only one aspect of the business. In addition, Rock On Ice does pumpkin carving, sand sculptures, and ice sculpting demonstrations and speed carving shows at various festivals.
“We actually opened for Willie Nelson once at the Columbus Polaris Amphitheater,” Maggard said with a laugh.
Whether you need an ice sculpture for your event, specialty ice cubes, or a carving or sculpting demonstration, Rock On Ice can do it all! They also deliver anywhere in the Tri-State.
“We are very excited to be expanding into the Tri-State,” Maggard said. “We offer something unique that will make your event extra special.”
For inquiries or more information, feel free to email Jon Maggard at
