The 16th annual Wintercade Ice Fishing Contest will be held on Lake Ripley in Litchfield on February 14th from 1-to-3 p.m. Only a few tickets remain – at the American Legion, the Muddy Cow and Running’s – all in Litchfield.
Monica Schreiber says the Litchfield Visitors Bureau recognizes this event as one that draws a lot of people to Litchfield, and it’s held on one of the town’s main tourist attractions – Lake Ripley. She says they are so thankful for the committee members who organize this event.
Schreiber says a Wintercade ticket would make a great Valentine’s gift. Wintercade Committee Member Heather Lease says the ticket qualifies you for cash prizes and for the grand prize which is a Bobcat UV34XL.
Lease says you do not need to be present to win the big prizes, but you do need to be present to win the numerous door prizes that are given away at the lake. She says they are watching the ice depths and if it’s not safe on the lake, they would move the ice fishing contest to the Litchfield Fire Hall.
Wintercade Committee Member Nicole Larson says the ice depth is at about 13-to-15-inches right now on Lake Ripley, and they like it to be about 18-inches to make sure it’s safe. She says it’s a fun, family-friendly event.
Larson says it was such a beautiful, sunny day last year for the Wintercade Ice Fishing contest. She says the Litchfield Fire Department will have a concession stand open during the event. The Wintercade Ice Fishing Contest has helped to raise over $200,000 in its first 15 years, and half of that is donated each year to veterans’ organizations and the other half is donated to other local charitable organizations.
The 4th annual Believe It, Achieve It Music Fest is coming up on Saturday, January 31st at the Litchfield Eagles Club. The Song Blast Dueling Guitars will present a Back to the 80s concert which will raise money for St. Philip’s School.
Monica Schreiber says Pat Balder and Glen Everhart are returning to Litchfield with their entertaining show and there will also be a meal, a live auction and a silent auction. She says this is an event for the whole community.
Schreiber says tickets for the meal and show are $50 and you can also purchase tickets at the door for the show only for $25 – based on availability. She says tickets are available at St. Philip’s Church, St. Philip’s School and from any committee member – including herself.
Pat Balder says they’re hoping for a packed house again this year at the Litchfield Eagles Club on January 31st. He says they will do an hour of 1980s music and then an hour of dance music, and they like to make the audience the star of the show.
Glen Everhart says the 1980s had the best music writing of any decade and he encourages people to dress in 80s style clothing for the concert. He says they try to inject comedy into their show and you never know what might happen.
Everhart says he and Pat perform all over the nation, and their van is getting to know the way to Litchfield. Social hour on January 31st at the Litchfield Eagles Club begins at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 and the show at 7:30 p.m.
