A sure cure for the cabin blues
Curing the winter blahs is as simple as having a cool time at the Montrose-Waverly Ice Festival in January.
Sponsored and started by the Montrose-Waverly Chamber of Commerce, the ice festival offers a myriad of activities for young and old, and an opportunity to catch a few fish.
The event takes place every January at the Waverly Legion Park on Big Waverly Lake.
Along with the fishing contest, there are sleigh rides, sled dog rides, a raffle, games, and a medallion hunt.
New in 2006 was bowling on ice, sponsored by the Montrose Lions. If bowling isn’t your sport, golf on the ice is popular as well, and a bonfire set up by both the Montrose and Waverly Fire Departments helps warm participants up.
Food and beverages are also served, including hot chocolate, coffee, and doughnuts.
For those who get tired of waiting for a fish to bite, they can sink their line into the money hole.
“The money hole is the big thing,” Jim Tourville, festival organizer, said. “We draw names and people can have five minutes of fishing in the money hole for a chance to win.”
For convenience, pre-drilled holes for real fishing are set up for festival participants, but they can also drill their own, or fish in their ice houses, if they prefer.
With two successful years under its belt, this ice festival looks to be a long-standing tradition in the area.
For more information, contact Kent Houston at (763) 658-4417 ext. 35, or Jim Tourville at (763) 675-3121, or visit online www.montrosewaverlychamber.com
Ice Festival
What: Enjoy pre-drilled ice fishing holes, bowling on the ice, and many other activities that involve food or fun at Big Waverly Lake.
When, where: It is conducted at Big Waverly lake on the northeast side of Waverly in January, (although not observed in 2007 due to the warm weather). For 2008, please go online to check dates, www.montrosewaverlychamber.com.
