An annual series of fun events on Lake Champlain at City Bay, North Hero, the 1st three weekends in February.

This year's 3rd annual Great Ice celebration was a great success.  The team of Mother Nature and Lady Luck were responsible for the great weather and great ice conditions, but the events could not have happend without the many volunteers, sponsors, and of course, the participants.

Sponsors

Chittenden Bank, Merchants Bank, Tibri, Milton Veterinary Hospital, Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness, Town of North Hero, Hero’s Welcome, North Hero House, Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce, Local Motion, DC Energy Innovations, Don Stewart, Northern Lake Champlain Advisory Committee, Jamie Hess of Nordic Skater, NHVFD, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Volunteers

Frank & Mary Dattilio, Mary, Larry, Ben and Patrick Dupont, Karl, Kathy & Karl,Jr. Raacke, Ethan Pearson, Pete & Patty Johnson, Keith & Vanetta Darby, Jim Dubuque, Leo Zambrano, Mike Murdock, Mark, Pam, Abby & Phillip Peterson, Grand Isle Rescue, Bob Greenough, Eileen and Richard Mitchell, Tracy Giroux, Ron & Jo-Ann Tier, Happy Dattilio, Diane Beal, Ginny Adams, Jeff & Evan Potvin, Tim Martell, Dave Lawrence, Dwayne Cormier, Bob Camp, Brian Costello, Don Stewart, Jimmy Putnam, Bob & Cathy Merrihew and the staffs of North Hero House, Hero’s Welcome, Local Motion, and the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce.

The skating oval on Lake Champlain will be maintained until the end of March, weather permitting. Bring your skates, or rent them at Hero's Welcome! Just get on Route 2 and come to North Hero Village. Free parking. Hot food and drink available each day. Call Hero's Welcome for up to date ice conditions, 802-372-4161.

The Bonfire and Cookout on the Ice with Chili Contest drew 75 people

Winner of Chili Contest:  Ginny Adams of Lakeview Drive

Nordic Skating with Jamie Hess introduced dozens of people to the sport with free rentals and instruction.

The Frozen Chosen Regatta was the most competitive yet with over 25 entries. The grand prize, a $500 mountain bike donated by Earl’s Cyclery was won by Nate Peterson of North Hero.

The Ice Golf Tournament was very challenging this year, with all of that black ice, the fairways were as fast as the greens!.

Flapjack Breakfast at North Hero House served 68 hungry people

The Trek to Knight Island: Well over 100 trekkers skated, walked and skied 4-miles to the off-shore State Park and warmed up by the wood stove in the Ranger's cabin.  The skating was made easier by the plowed path.

Over 100 kids participated in the Kids Fishing Derby, 20 trophies were given out.

Visit the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce for more info, and mark your calendars for the 2011 Great Ice in Grand Isle.

Saturday, February 13th
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Earl's Cyclery & Fitness

Put on your thinking caps and build the wackiest self-propelled, ice-racing machine you can think of. The F-F-Frozen Chosen Regatta is back this year and competition is heating up! In year's past, we've seen bikes with studs, bikes with front-mounted ice skates, and three wheel jalopies. We've even had a unicycle entered in the race! Start tinkering now to get your machine ready!

All ages are welcome and racers can enter solo or in teams. Consider pulling a couple co-workers together for an event you won't soon forget! $20 entry fee benefits the North Hero Community Hall Restoration. Plenty of parking, hot food and beverages. Prizes in several categories.

To sign-up email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration booth opens at 10:30am. Helmets required. Please review the regatta rules here.

GREAT ICE IN GRAND ISLE 2010

City Bay, North Hero Village,Vermont

(lakeside across from Hero's Welcome General Store)

Events subject to weather conditions! Call 372-4161 for updates.

Free parking, plenty of hot food and beverages.

Saturday, February 6th:

Noon -4:00 p.m. General skating. Snowshoeing on the Lake.

5:30 p.m.             Bonfire by the Pier at North Hero House

Chili Cook-off catered by Lake Champlain Islands Chamber

Beverages catered by North Hero House

2 - 4 p.m.             Atii Sled Dog demonstration "Everything But a Ride"

Sponsored by the Merchants Bank

11 - 3 p.m.           Nordic Skating with Jamie Hess, www.nordicskater.com

Saturday, February 13th:

11- 3 p.m.            F-f-frozen Chosen Regatta Sponsored by Earl's Cyclery,

Local Motion

6 p.m.                   Valentine's Dinner Dance at North Hero House 802-372-4732

Four courses, $45

Sunday, February 14th:

9 - 1 p.m.             Ice Golf Tournament- sponsored by Stewart Construction,

Chittenden Bank

Saturday, February 20th:

8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Flapjack Breakfast at North Hero House* $7each or $20/family

11 - 4 p.m.           "Over and Back" Trek to Knight Island, 2 miles away

Sponsored by VT State Parks

Ski, skate, walk sled, amble, dogs and kids welcome.

Ranger station at Knight Island will have refreshments.

FREE!

11 - 2 p.m.          Kids Fishing Derby, kids 14 and under. Fishing rigs supplied.

Trophies, free hot dogs for the kids.

Sponsors: Northern Lake Champlain Advisory Committee,

North Hero Recreation Committee

FREE!

Sunday, February 21st:

Munson

Sponsored by Tibri

Great Ice in Grand Isle is sponsored by: Town of North Hero; Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce; North Hero House; Hero's Welcome General Store; Local Motion; Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation; North Hero Recreation Committee; Nordic Skater, Simms Point Catering and Allenholm Farm.

For accommodations in local inns and lodges, and reservations for dinner, call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce - 800-262-5226, 802-372-8400. For general information call the Chamber or Hero's Welcome General Store, 802-372-4161 or visit www.champlainislands.com