Frozen Lakes, Trails Are the Perfect Playgrounds in Brainerd
Category: press release
Jan 7th, 2004 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jan 7th, 2004 at 12:00 AM
BRAINERD, Minn.– Leave it to Minnesotans to celebrate frigid temperatures, frozen lakes and falling snow. But that’s the case this month in Brainerd, Minn. If there’s a reason to be outside in the dead of winter, folks here will find it.This month, thousands of visitors will descend on the tourist town of Brainerd to watch or participate in a string of unique but very Minnesota-like events intended to cure even the most severe case of cabin fever. They’ll come to ooh and ahh over antique snowmobiles, cheer on power ice auger racers, or fish against 12,000 other anglers in the world’s largest ice fishing contest. Here’s more: — The Power Ice Auger World Championship is one of the main events during Breezy Point Resort’s Ice Fest Jan. 9-11 on Pelican Lake. (Ice augers are used to drill holes in the ice for fishing.) Last year, the event attracted 75 competitors; this year, twice as many are expected. Classes are for antique, hand and electric augers. Gas-powered augers have two classes, including super modified, which is basically anything-goes. The winner of this class last year had a chainsaw engine on the auger and drilled three holes through 17 inches of ice in less than 10 seconds. Other Ice Fest events include Human Bowling, Snow Golf, Snowmobile Radar Runs, sleigh rides, fireworks and a bonfire.– More than 12,000 anglers will converge on Brainerd Jan. 17 for the 14th annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake. During the three-hour contest, incredible prizes such as a new Ford pickup, ATVs, cash (100th place wins $10,000) and fishing gear will be awarded for the 150 largest fish caught. About 25,000 holes will be drilled in the competition area, which is about one-third of a mile square in size.– About 500 antique snowmobiles from as far away as California and New York are expected at the 10th annual Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous, scheduled for Jan. 24-26 in nearby Pequot Lakes. This year’s Rendezvous is in conjunction with the Antique Snowmobile Club of America’s Winter National Convention. The weekend’s events include a parade, trail ride, swap meet and races (oval track, drag racing and obstacle course). The founders of Arctic Cat, Polaris and Scorpion will give presentations. Antique snowmobiles are 1968 and older.”It’s no secret that Minnesotans celebrate winter like nobody else can, and this is a perfect example of that,” said Lisa Paxton, CEO of the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce. “These events are a lot of fun and they provide a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy everything else this area is known for, including excellent restaurants, fantastic shopping, a diverse collection of lodging properties and many outdoor and indoor recreational activities. Make sure you dress warm, though!”