Children pounding down hills in their board game-themed cardboard sleds, adults playing a round of golf on frozen Hessel Bay, a fishing contest, and other winter events will be among activities during the threeday Les Cheneaux Snowsfest Friday, February 12, through Sunday, February 14. Many Snowsfest favorites will return this year with different schedules, several in downtown Hessel near the marina at the end of Pickford Avenue.

Residents and businesses will construct snow statues in the spirit of Snowsfest, which has a "board games" theme this year. Blank snowman forms, called Snow Buddies, can be purchased from the Les Cheneaux Welcome Center as an alternative to creating a statue. The forms can be decorated, dressed up, and displayed on posts outside residences and businesses. A smaller form called a Baby Buddy can be purchased for $5, as well. Proceeds from the buddies benefit Snowsfest.

The concession stands at Snowsfest will be expanded from last year. Hot dogs, sodas, and hot drinks will be offered for sale near the marina. Free coffee and hot chocolate will be offered to anyone who purchases a Snowsfest button for $4. They can be purchased from the Les Cheneaux Welcome Center, Cedarville and Hessel businesses, and at the warm up tent at Hessel marina.

A Les Cheneaux Islands-wide pike and perch fishing contest will begin Thursday, February 11, at 8 a.m. and end Sunday at 4 p.m. Registration is $5 and may be made at Cedar Pantry, Hessel Grocery, and Fish Tales Bait and Tackle. Measurements will be taken at the same businesses. Awards for the contest will be given Sunday at 5 p.m. at Hessel Grocery. Perch and pike can be fished from anywhere around the Les Cheneaux Islands.

Friday, February 12

Friday will feature several family oriented activities. After school that day, children will enjoy cardboard sled races, hopping into their decorated cardboard sleds and speeding down the hill near the school in Cedarville, beginning at 4 p.m.

Snow statue and Snow Buddy judging will begin after the races at 5 p.m., and the Les Cheneaux Community Library in Cedarville will open its doors to a book fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

People may dress up according to their favorite board game for a costume contest during the evening, an event that takes place alongside the pub shuffle, where different bars will be decorated according to a board game of their choice. Visitors can obtain a card to vote for their favorite decorations, drink, and server.

Saturday, February 13

Many Snowsfest events take place Saturday in Hessel.

The Kitty Cat snowmobile races for children will be conducted Saturday, with registration from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The race will start at 10:30 a.m. in Hessel.

At 10 a.m. a paper mache snowman will be burned in Hessel. The snowman is decorated by the Les Cheneaux school art class and then torched, symbolizing the desire for the end of winter. Meanwhile, the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce will hold an arts and crafts show at the Cedarville Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Taste-testing chili will be available during the chili cook off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chili entries must be received between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Participants may vote for their favorite entry at the Snowsfest tent at the marina in Hessel.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides will be available free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dog sled rides begin at noon, with its location to be announced during Snowsfest. The rides will be dependent upon the weather. Children may participate in many games taking place near the tent at the same time.

Following the games, a Snowshoe Hare race will begin at 1 p.m., with registration at the warm-up tent at the marina. A dog show at 2 p.m. at the Snowsfest tent will focus on various entertaining pooch tricks, costume contests, and obstacle courses . Many will be dressed up according to the board game theme.

An ice rescue demonstration will be held at 2:30 p.m. by the Clark Township EMS Team on Hessel Bay.

Sunday, February 14

A frosty round of nine-hole golf will be played on Hessel Bay Sunday, with registration from noon until 12:30 and the actual game beginning at 1 p.m. Augers are used to drill holes halfway into the thick ice of the bay, where competitors play their best game against the elements to obtain the lowest score. No obstacles are added to the course, as snowmobiles often drive on the bay. Men, women, and co-ed divisions will be available depending on participation.

Prizes such as rounds of golf at local courses and money will awarded to the winners. The cost is $20 per person if pre-registered and $25 to register the day of the game. Contact Kathy Trevarrow or Allyson Torsky at 484-2226 to preregister.

The Lucas Izzard Foundation for Teens will host a skate and dance event, called "For the Love of Life," Sunday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Community Center in Cedarville. Skating will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., refreshments and soup will be available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a teen dance will finish off the night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission is $4 per person, or $3 if the national suicide prevention hotline number is presented while purchasing a ticket. The foundation was created in Mr. Izzard's memory following his death in 2007, and several teen deaths in 2006. The foundation develops programs to help teenagers.