2nd Annual Portage Lake Winter Festival Scheduled forJanuary 16 - 17, 2010 |
Onekama, Manistee County, Michigan - January 4, 2010 - Onekama residents, businesses and the Manistee County CVB once again come together to present the 2nd Annual Portage Lake Winter Festival, January 16 and 17, 2010. Enthusiastic residents from the Onekama/Portage Lake community and surrounding area participated in last years Ice fishing Contests, the Ice Hole Challenge and the Family Fishing Frenzy, and added an ice skating arena and refreshments to the event. The excitement for this year's festival began in September of 2009, and within a few weeks a handful of organizers, the MCCVB and many volunteers had put together a full weekend itinerary of fun outdoor activities for the entire family, residents and visitors alike. Says Doug Callaway, event organizer and Onekama Business Owner "Last years event brought people outside, even in wintry snow wind and cold, to have some fun with family and friends. It was so much fun that we looked forward to growing this event this year, and creating enough interest to keep it going for years to come." Two days of outdoor activities and events are planned including two Ice Fishing Contests, a 5K Fun Run, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin Contests, Best Ice Shanty Contest, Snowman Contest along with ice skating and sledding, a cross country ski event, and free refreshments. Air boat rides will also be available. The Ice Hole Challenge, Family Fishing Frenzy, the 5K Fun Run and Comedy Night at Shay's Chop House will occur on Saturday January 16th, the Cross Country Ski Poker Run and Snowman contest occur on Sunday January 17th, and the rest of the events are planned for both days of the festival. The Onekama Village Park and Portage Lake will be the landing area for most of the events and the Air Boat Rides, with sledding offered at the Onekama High School hill and groomed cross country ski and snowshoe trails at Douglas Valley Organic Vineyard on Schoedel Rd. "It is incredibly rewarding to support and promote events such as this when the people who live, work and play here step up and work so hard to make these things happen", says Judy Ball, Executive Director of the Manistee County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We know that the success of an event always depends on the level of involvement from the community. As residents invite friends and family to join them for the event, the chatter begins to spread. Soon, the word is out and people from all over, who are looking for things to do, get the news about the excitement here and we become a destination. That's the excitement for the CVB, and the reason we budget for, and promote the event." Pre-registration forms for most events are available at Andy's Tackle Box, Sundance Interiors and Onekama Building Supply. |
