The Pelican Lake Association (PLA) will hold a new event, Winterfest, Saturday, Feb. 15, from noon to 8 p.m. at PB and J's Place in Pelican Lake.
"Since Mother Nature is not holding up her end of our winter tourism needs, we're trying to hold an event to assist a local bar with activities for the family and raise funds for the very expensive task of invasive species management for the organization," said PLA Fundraising Committee Chair Kelly Kraetsch.
At press time, snowmobile trails in Oneida County remained closed due to poor snow conditions.
In a joint public service announcement issued Jan. 24, the Oneida County Snowmobile Council and Oneida County Forestry Department stated it was a difficult decision not to open the trails earlier, recognizing how critical snowmobile season is to the Northwoods and how trail closures can adversely affect businesses and tourism dollars, a sentiment that Kraetsch echoed.
"Speaking with the local food and drink owners on the lake, winter is usually a tough time," Kraetsch said. "However, snowmobiling helps with the slump. With the lack of significant snowfall two years in a row, they're really feeling the squeeze."
Many annual fundraisers that take place in winter are also struggling. Kraetsch added that a recent event for brain cancer, The Spanky Ride, was negatively impacted by low participation due to snowmobile trail closures. "Monico's Boondocks owner stated he only saw 60 customers on the event day. In the past, it would be well over 300."
With or without more snow, Kraetsch and the PLA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the waters of Pelican Lake in Oneida County, will hold Winterfest next weekend and invite the community to attend.
Family-fun
The event will feature two tournaments for families to compete in, BucketGolf and Snowball Cornhole.
BucketGolf costs $10 for each two-person team. The first-place winner gets half the entry fee pot, and the second and third-place winners get a quarter.
Snowball Cornhole costs $5 for a two-person team, and winners will receive a custom cornhole board made by Robert Brautigam and Jenna Stone.
Food and live music
PLA said soups, meat and cheese trays, and a pulled pork sandwich special will be available, and donations of sides and desserts are appreciated. Winterfest-goers can purchase beverages at the bar throughout the event.
Lovin' Country will provide live music from 5-8 p.m.
Raffles
Winterfest includes two raffles, one for a $1,000 first-place cash prize and another for an ice fishing package, complete with an Eskimo P1 propane auger and a one-person shelter sled donated by a PLA member and Ardisam Inc.
Raffle tickets are available at Pelican Lake establishments PB and J's Place, Boiling Springs Tavern, Dive on 45, Gerrit's Lakeview Inn, and Roadside Pub.
The cash raffle costs $20 for three tickets, and the ice fishing package is $10 per ticket.
The cash raffle drawing will be at 5 p.m., and the ice fishing package at 6:30; participants don't have to be present to win.
PB and J's Place is located at 885 Hwy 45.
Donations will go towards the management of Pelican Lake Waters. For more information, visit pelicanlakeassociation.org.
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