I will be going to Harbin on February 17 will the festival and ice sculcupture still be there nicely

The exact schedule of the 29th Ice and Snow Festival is not announced to the public, so it is hard to tell you the exact date of 2013. Generally speaking, the festival and ice sculptures may cannot be seen at that time according to the previous schedules. I suggest you to keep notice on this website, because this website will publish the schedule as soon as the news comes out.

But other answers posted here say that the festival will start January 5. How could you not know if they will show. I just want to know if I will still be able to see the sculptures and Ice Lanterns still intact by then.

That's right. It will open on Jan. 5, 2013 and lasts for about a month. Actually, the various activities usually last to the end of Feb. Thus you can still enjoy yourself by appreciating the sculptures on Feb. 17. Don't worry!