2010 Alton Winter Carnival

[Whimsey]

Does anyone know the date this is scheduled for? Friends want to schedule a visit and participate.

[mcdude]

Nothing on the Parks and Recreation Website yet but it is usually scheduled for the Sunday of Dead Presidents Week-end. In 2010 that would be Feb. 14....Valentine's Day!

[DRH]

I'm glad the Alton Winter Carnival was brought up now, well ahead of the actual event. Several years ago (4 - 5 maybe?), a group of us on the Forum had the idea of entering the bed race, which is part of each year's Alton Winter Carnival. Sunset Bob generously donated his childhood crib to the effort, which I then strengthened for purposes of the "rigorous" race. Several other Forum members then got together and painted the strengthened crib, and Rattlesnake Gal donated a pair of skis for it to race on and created a nice sign with the winnipesaukee.com logo on it for the crib to display during the race. However, each year since the crib was created, one thing or another has caused the winnipesaukee.com Forum crib (dubbed the "Forum Flyer") not to race. Going from memory, I think the first couple years after the crib was "born" the Alton Winter Carnival was called off due to unsafe ice. Following that, there was just not enough interest on the part of Forum members to form a racing committee to actually plan and participate in the race. So, the speedy crib has never raced. Now, those of us involved in the initial effort (including me) have lost interest in this effort. The crib sits in my garage, unused. At this point, I would very much like to pass the crib on to a Forum member, or a group of Forum members, interested enough to enter it into a future Alton Winter Carnival bed race. If no one is interested in taking this on, I'll offer the crib back to Sunset Bob (if he has any interest in taking it back), or I'll have to take it to the Alton dump due to space considerations in my garage. If anyone is interested in taking possession of the speedy "Forum Flyer" and entering it into the Alton Carnival bed race next February, please contact me by emailing or PMing me through this web site.

[SIKSUKR]

Hey DRH, if it gets to the point of throwing it out maybe you might consider offering it to the many bobhouse residents in Alton Bay. They might be able to use it to carry supplies to their shelter.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Hey DRH, if it gets to the point of throwing it out maybe you might consider offering it to the many bobhouse residents in Alton Bay. They might be able to use it to carry supplies to their shelter.

Not a bad idea, Siksukr, but the crib is pretty big ... it stands about 4' high and the skis are over 6' long. It pretty well fills the bed of a pickup truck. I'm not sure the fishing guys would find it very practical to haul their stuff around. I don't have a pickup truck, so frankly at this point I'd be grateful if someone would just stop by and pick it up!

[mcdude]

DRH:
I guess no one wants that dang crib. I say lets push it down to the edge of the lake some night and we'll have a bonfire! I'll bring the brandy!

The date for Winter Carnival is officially set. From today's Baysider....

The Winter Carnival Committee, chaired by Roger Sample and Paul LaRochelle, is busy getting ready for Sunday,Feb. 14. The Alton Business Association will again be hosting the event along with the Alton Parks and Recreation Department. Plans call for helicopter and sleigh rides, games, food and more. Details will be coming over the next few weeks, so keep an eye on the paper. The group is looking for business sponsors or donations for a silent auction-type raffle. If you would like to donate, call Ken or Robin at Wainwright Insurance at 875-1211.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by mcdude

DRH:
I guess no one wants that dang crib. I say lets push it down to the edge of the lake some night and we'll have a bonfire! I'll bring the brandy!

Yeah, guess you're right McD. No one has contacted me about taking the crib and entering this year's Alton Winter Carnival bed race. It seems creating the "Winnipesaukee Forum Flyer" was a plan that looked good on paper, but ....

[mcdude]

Decorate your icehouse and put on that crazy hat

ALTON

— As part of the Alton Bay Winter Carnival, there will be a contest for the best decorated icehouse, as well as a “craziest hat contest.” Those are only two of the many events that will be going on, on Sunday, Feb. 14. There will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a silent auction raffle. There will be games for adults and children, plenty of food and beverages, sleigh rides and helicopter rides. Airplanes will be arriving and departing from the Alton Bay Airport, which alone is worth coming to see. The event will start off with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Fun and games will follow at 10 a.m., and will continue until 4 p.m. The Alton Business Association is looking for sponsorships as well as donations of items, certificates, services, etc. If you would like a banner advertising your business, please contact Marci DeMelis of Laserserv Imaging at 941-0931, or Jim Lund of JNL Excavation at 875-8628. The Alton Business Association and the Alton Parks and Recreation Department are looking to making this Winter Carnival the biggest and best ever

[Jonas Pilot]

Anybody know what time they will be judging the decorated "Bob Houses"? I can't wait to see what people come up with. What a great idea!

[riverat]

I won 2nd place last year! I think it was around 3pm

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Will be held on Valentines Day.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Come join in the fun at the Alton Bay Winter Festival!

The Alton Business Association is sponsoring a fun filled day of activities from 10:00am - 4:00 pm.

The Alton Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the following free events for all ages:

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - DJ Music at the Bandstand
1:30 pm - Family Scavenger Hunt - Prizes awarded
3:00 pm - Parade of Beds - Followed by the Great Alton Bay Bed Race! Prizes awarded

Co-Sponosred by Meredith Village Savings Bank
All pre-registered teams receive a prize.

Events include: Family Games; Ice Princess and Penguin; Food tent; Bob House Decorating Contest; Crazy Hat Contest; Sleigh Rides, Helicopter Rides, Pancake Breakfast and much more.

The Alton Bay ice airport will be open - please stay off the active runway and use caution on the ice - it is slippery!

Ice walkers and dressing in warm layers is recommended.

[mcdude]

Children's Fishing Derby Too!! (Baysider)

Rotary Club plans fishing
derby for kids Feb. 14

ALTON

— The Alton Centennial Rotary Club invites kids up to age 15 from throughout New Hampshire and neighboring New England states to Alton Bay for the third annual free kids’ fishing derby on Sunday,Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration takes place in Alton Bay at the parking lot bandstand. Participants need adult supervision and may be assisted by anyone with a fishing license. Fishing derby bibs will be given to the first 50 participants; trophies will be awarded for the longest fish.This event is one of many family-oriented events offered during the Alton Winter Carnival, which is organized by the Alton Business Association and Alton Parks and Recreation. Forty children registered last year and seven trophies were awarded. Landon Hallberg from Alton, age one and a half, caught the biggest fish, a 20-inch pickeral. Other species caught included rainbow trout, yellow perch and cusk. Participants must cut their line and release any black bass or salmon. Ice safety is encouraged throughout this event. Keep away from any open water around docks with bubblers and old ice fishing holes that may still be unfrozen.The ice fishing area is limited to the area from Sandy Point south to the town beach. Any plowed areas are set aside for aircraft or for the snow machine radar-run. Volunteers with ice augers are needed to assist the kids with drilling ice holes. A limited amount of tip ups and shiners for bait will be available at the registration table. Please call David Countway at 875-3128 if you would like to assist the Alton Rotary Club with this fun event.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Anyone entering the bowling tourney this year ?

[Slickcraft]

Some photos.

Final heat of the great Alton Bay bed race, the Olympic theme edged out the valentines day theme. The Mardi Gras theme group won best decorated and it appeared was having a great time while the wine held out.

There was a long line for the sleigh rides. Big crowd today, perfect conditions.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Final heat of the great Alton Bay bed race, the Olympic theme edged out the valentines day theme. The Mardi Gras theme group won best decorated and it appeared was having a great time while the wine held out.

It was a new Forum member, "Rain Man", and his family who won first place in this year's Alton Winter Carnival bed race. Their entry was the former Winnipesaukee.com "Forum Flyer", which was donated to Rain Man's family. They did a great job winning the bed race. Congratulations, Rain Man & Family!

[Chubbs]

Could'nt make it up this year so I hope there are a lot more pics coming our way. Thanks

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by DRH

It was a new Forum member, "Rain Man", and his family who won first place in this year's Alton Winter Carnival bed race.

Three Cheers for Rain Man and the Winni Forum Flyer!!

HIP HIP HOORAY!!

Did the Conference Center have an entry this year?

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by DRH

It was a new Forum member, "Rain Man", and his family who won first place in this year's Alton Winter Carnival bed race. Their entry was the former Winnipesaukee.com "Forum Flyer", which was donated to Rain Man's family. They did a great job winning the bed race. Congratulations, Rain Man & Family!

We are all very proud of Rainman and his family for running the race with the crib we so lovingly prepared a few years ago. They were fantastic... first winning the preliminaries, then the finals. Here they are winning the race!

IG