Millecoquins Lake To Be Site of Winter Carnival Saturday

The east side of Millecoquins Lake near Engadine will be the site of a Winter Carnival Saturday, February 23, from 8 a.m. to about 5 p.m. Activities will include fishing contests for youth and open classes, a chili cook-off, dog-sled rides, concessions, games on the ice, snowmobile radar runs, a predator hunt, and a poker run. Most activities will be based at the Hiawatha Sportsman's Club Recreation Building, said club manager Lester Livermore.

The fishing contest will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free for youth. Participants in open classes will pay $5. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and continues all day. Judging is at 4 p.m. at the recreation building.

The chili cook-off takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Registration costs $5 and is at 11 a.m. Participants must be ready to serve by 12 p.m. Tasters, who may serve as judges for the contest, can sample the chili for $2.

Registration for the predator hunt is $10 at the Hiawatha Sportsman's Club office on the east side of the lake. The contest began February 8. Contestants must present their catches at the carnival between 9 a.m. and noon. Winners will receive prizes for the heaviest coyote, bobcat, and fox. Predators may be taken by any legal means anywhere in the U.P., Mr. Livermore said.

Registration for the poker run can be made at any local business. Drawings for awards will be at the recreation building, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Games and concessions on the ice begin at 11 a.m.

The snowmobile radar runs will take place from noon to 3 p.m. They are similar to drag races, but participants race one at a time and are clocked by a radar gun. Those with top speeds will receive prices including plaques and trophies at the recreation building from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Organizers will consider proposed additions to the carnival, but anyone with something to add must contact the Sportsman's Club first, Mr. Livermore said.

For more information, contact the club at (906) 477-6592.

The Club sponsors the event, with Big Mac Pac, U.P. Snow Gobblers of the Wild Turkey Federation, the Two Heart Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Engadine Athletic Boosters, and Feneley-McNeil-Nesbit American Legion Post 290.