In 1917 in a small town called Nenana, Alaska a group bet on when the ice would break up on the Tanana River. Since then they have held an annual contest with increasingly larger prizes.

The Preservation Association decided to begin the Beaver Island Ice Classic in the same vein. The contestants will purchase tickets and enter their guess on when a tower on the ice next to the Beaver Island Marina will goes into the water, with 50% ticket sales going to the winner.

The remainder will be used to fund the Community Center. How does this work? A tower has been placed on the ice next to the Beaver Island Marina. When the tower goes into the water a clock will stop and the time will be recorded.

Those participating will purchase their ticket (s), enter the guess (date, hour, minute). An individual may make as many guesses as they wish for $5.00 per guess or 5 for $20.00. Those matching (or nearest to if none match exactly) will share 50% of the ticket sales. In the case of a tie the 50% will be shared equally among the winners.

Check the website regularly for information on the status and the prize amounts. Tickets are available from PABI Board members and Island stores. Tickets are available from approximately Feb 1 through March 20, 2006.
 

On the Ice
March 1, 2006 Update

We launched the Beaver Island Ice Classic tower yesterday and it's next to the Beaver Island Marina. Shown to the right is a photo of the tower taken the following day during the heavy winds that stirred the fluffy snow making the other side of the harbor almost invisible during this otherwise mild winter.
 

Tickets Available at McDonough's
March 3, 2006 Update

Tickets are now available at McDonough's Market. Also a new email has been setup - beaverislandiceclassic@yahoo.com
 

Melting... Melting
March 10, 2006 Update

The harbor is quickly melting. The ice is thinning. It won't be long now...

Who will guess the best date?!

Going Down ...
March 30, 2006 Update

The first annual PABI Ice Classic has come to a close!

Thanks to Cynthia Johnson for taking the following photographs at the Beaver Island Marina:

"I noticed at 6 am the tower was down and snapped a few photos...(see below).  Clock says it went down March 29th, 2006 at 8:56 pm...."

And the winner is...
March 31, 2006 Update

The winner is Richie Gillespie with a guess of 4:45 PM on March 29th.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Bob Tidmore