[mcdude]

Alton Bay Winter Carnival

Alton gearing up for Winter Carnival Feb. 19
ALTON — Punxsutawney Phil declared six more weeks of winter, setting the stage
for winter carnival in Alton Sunday, Feb. 19, at the bay. Alton Business Association
Chair Paul LaRochelle and Winter Carnival Committee Chair Steve Bell state current
ice conditions are favorable for the carnival to be on the ice. Should ice conditions
deteriorate in the next week, Bell is ready to execute Plan B, which is utilizing the
town's parking lot down at the Bay. Bell and his committee are in the final stages of
preparations. Bell states next week's Baysider will have a complete schedule of events and flyers are located in local businesses and there's something for everyone to enjoy.

The day begins at 8 a.m. with a breakfast at the community center.The bobhouse
decorating contest is open from 8 a.m. to noon, with the winner being announced at 12:45 p.m. (VOTE for RIVER RAT!!!) Enjoy a fun filled family day with entertainment at the bandstand with the DJ, visit with the Ice Princess, (portrayed by Argie's Wife?) create your crazy hat for the crazy hat contest, enter the scavenger hunt at 1:30 p.m., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids young and old can
make caricatures, enter all the games, enter the kids’ fishing derby, watch the Alton
K9 demonstration, enjoy sleigh rides or for those more daring, helicopter rides. At
2:45 p.m., line up and watch the traditional bed race parade with the race taking
place at 3 p.m., ice conditions permitting. Throughout the day enjoy free hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, fries, sausage with onions and peppers, coffee, hot chocolate, soda and water. Bell and LaRochelle take this opportunity to thank the ABA members for their support as well as local businesses and organizations who have supported this event.Thank you to the town of Alton representatives, Alton
Police Department and Fire Department and most importantly the residents of
the community. The ABA invites everyone to come out and enjoy community spirit
with family, friends and neighbors.

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Great Alton Bay Bed Race returns Feb. 19

ALTON — Meredith Village Savings Bank and the Alton Parks and Recreation
Department are sponsoring the exciting Great Alton Bay Bed Race during the annual
Winter Carnival on Sunday, Feb. 19. Get outside and join in the fun. Great prizes will be awarded. The bed race is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. near the Alton Bay ice bandstand on Lake Winnipesaukee. In the event of poor ice conditions, the race will not be held. To participate in the bed race, participants create a bed, put skis on the bottom and a push bar across the head and foot of the bed. A five-person team, four people pushing and one person riding, race the bed from the start to the finish line. Themed beds are always a hit. Cleats or spikes are not permitted and the bed rider is advised to wear a helmet. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 15. Call 875-0109 or e-mail parksrec@alton. nh.gov to sign up. The Great Alton Bay Bed Race is a great tradition for any family or organization to participate in, either by entering a bed or by watching this exciting race. For more information contact the Alton Parks and Recreation Department at 875-0109. Alton Bay Winter Carnival Join in the fun at the annual Winter Carnival scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19, in
Alton Bay. Please note the public boat ramp access to the lake/ice will be closed to motorized traffic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., please find an alternate route.