Hunter Ice Festival 2021
The Hunter Ice Festival—a longtime tradition for the community—may still be on for 2021. Not in the usual format—but officials are working on a way to help make it happen.
The festival, named for the brothers who used Barron Lake to harvest ice for their company, has always been a free festival for the community by the community and has been a highly anticipated event in Niles thanks to the generous support of donors and local business sponsors. This year, however, many of the local businesses are not in a position to give like they have in past years.
“With COVID-19 and likely restrictions, we do not see how we can do a ‘regular’ festival,” said Lisa Croteau, Niles Downtown Development Main Street program manager. “But, we have talked to our main carver and if we are able to secure $20,000, he can create eight to 10 multi-block interactive sculptures that can be strategically placed throughout town to allow folks to come downtown, socially distanced, to see and enjoy.”
Here’s how you can help
Community members are being asked to join in the effort to make this happen. It’s the first time the festival organizers are reaching out to local residents to ask for monetary support. “If you enjoy the festival, please consider making a donation for the 2021 Hunter Ice Festival,” said Croteau. Those who would like to make a donation, should visit the Uncover Niles website. Scroll to the yellow DONATE button at the bottom of the page.
The festival organizers would like to thank the following for their generosity. To date, donations have been received from On Base Productions, Joe and Louisana Buckhanan, Anne Born, Marty Skalla-Crompton, Swirlyz, Cheryl Leonard, Josh Sitarz, Gretchen Bertschy, Mike and Lucy McCauslin, Dr. John H. Foti, Jennifer Foti and Advanced Chiropractic, Scott Marsh and “Anonymous.”
