Inaugural Winter Freeze 2015 on Butterfield Lake held Saturday
The inaugural Winter Freeze 2015 was held Saturday, February 28 on Butterfield Lake – and daytime temperatures played right along; the high on the day was 21 degrees Fahrenheit – double-digits below the freezing mark.
The new wintertime event was sponsored by the Butterfield Summer Sizzler, with support from T & K Transport, Inc. of Buttefield; Andy’s Auto Repair & Towing of Butterfield; Hall Hydraulics and Machine of Butterfield and Buckshots Bar & Grill of Butterfield.
Activities on the lake kicked off at 9 a.m. with fast-paced CMPR ice oval snowmobile hot laps. Racing action, featuring 30 racers – including many on vintage snowmobiles – received the green flag at 12 noon.
A Bean Bag Toss Tournament was held on land – on the frozen Butterfield tundra in front of the Tuberg Homestead, part of Pioneer Village at Voss Park. Eight teams took to the competition. Bean Bag Toss has a vast history dating back as far as the 14th century. The object of the game is to toss the bean bags – four per competitor or team – so that they land on the board, or, better yet, in the hole. The Freeze rules of the game required teams of two, with the first team to 21 the winner – sparked by double-elimination brackets. When playing doubles, each player’s partner is directly across from them competing against the other team’s partner. Points are scored by throwing the bags; if a bag lands on the board – one point, and if it goes in the hole – three points. Bags could not touch the ground or hit the ground and roll onto the board; these were considered “dead” bags. Pay out was made for first-, second- and third-place teams.
Also included on the day was a Children’s Medallion Hunt.
A kick-off for the Freeze was the “Do You Want To Build A Better Snowman Contest,” which began in December and ran through Friday, February 27. The contest was open to “children” of all ages – as well as businesses. Judging was based on creativity and originality. First-place winners, claiming the $150 prize, were brother and sister, Ethan and Lexia Sykes. Second-place – and $100 – was awarded to Emerson and Brody Fisch. The final placing – third-place and $75 – was presented to Aubre Durheim.
