When will ice leave?

Talk about it

If the dreary cold weather is bringing you down, lift your spirits with thoughts of spring – and when the ice will leave the lakes.

It’s time for the Echo Press’ annual Ice Out Contest.

The person who guesses when the ice will melt away on Lake L’Homme Dieu will win a fun summer-time prize – a Rave Sports Razor Tube donated by Alex Dock, Lift and Marine of Garfield.

This year’s contest is free to enter. An entry form is printed on page A7 in today’s issue and will also be available in this weekend’s Lakeland Shopping Guide.

Only one entry per person is allowed.

All entries must be received at the newspaper office by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

Official ice-spotters from the Echo Press will determine when the ice has left the lake. If two or more people guess the correct date, a drawing will be held to determine the winner.

The Echo Press has been keeping track of the ice-out times dating back to 1867. Lake Osakis was originally the official lake but the site was changed to Lake L’Homme Dieu in 1965.

The earliest ice-out happened in 2000, when the lake was clear of ice on March 25.

The ice’s most stubborn year was 1878 when it finally retreated on May 15.

Last year’s ice out was the latest in 29 years. It didn’t melt away from Lake L’Homme Dieu until May 2.

In last year’s contest, three entrants nailed the exact date and a drawing gave the prize to Tim Christopherson of Garfield.

In the 141 years the newspaper has recorded ice-outs, the ice has stayed on the lake later than May 2 only 13 times.

Tags: news, ice, out, contest, echo, press