Pioneer Press: Imani Cruzen
While winters in Minnesota are often unpredictable, count on the return of the ice-out contest for White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake this year.
As with previous years, participants can submit one entry each with an ice-out date for one or both lakes. There is no fee to participate in the free event and currently no set deadline for entries. For more information and to make a prediction go to rallywba.com.
Participants are encouraged to mention their favorite local business and multiple winners will be declared and drawn at random from those who guess the correct date.
People also can participate on Facebook leading up to the ice-out dates by guessing the ice measurements on specific dates. Prizes include gift cards to local businesses which can be claimed at the contest’s ice-out party at Washington Square Bar and Grill at 4736 Washington Square in White Bear Lake.
Haskins said he’s going after the title of the largest ice-out contest in the country this year. He said he started the contest to support local businesses during the pandemic.
“And my goal was to bring as much attention to the local community, the business community, as I could. You know, just to help give as much benefit and boost to exposure to them. And that’s really still at the core of what the contest is about,” Haskins said.
Ice-outs
The contest is sponsored by Nimble Impressions – Haskin’s marketing agency in White Bear Lake – and Rally WBA.
Winners will be declared after the White Bear Lake Conservation District makes the ice-out official. The conservation district is responsible for declaring an ice-out on White Bear Lake, Haskins said, while he will handle declaring ice-out on Bald Eagle Lake.
