Joe’s Pond ice out contest

Forget the rodent that does, or does not see his shadow as a harbinger of spring. In West Danville, Vermont they have come up with something a little more fun. The “Joe’s Pond ice out contest“. What started as a topic among locals in the 80’s has become a fast growing event, even in international circles. A little armchair meteorology, and a little cabin fever mixed in with a friendly wager.

It goes like this. A wooden palette with a wooden block tied to it is placed on the ice near Homer and Elsie Fitts place on Joe’s Pond. The block is tethered to an electric clock on their deck, when the block sinks it pulls the plug on the clock and thats the official time of ice out on Joe’s Pond. This year the block sank on Friday at 5:25 PM. There were four winners, three “locals” and a lady from Michigan. Each took home $1,323.00, a record payout for the contest. Tickets for 2009 will be available in July.