Chili Cook Off, Fishing Tournament, Polar Bear Plunge Are Winterfest 2012 Highlights

The New Baltimore Lions Club is gearing up for its 19th annual Winterfest, bringing back a slew of fun events during the three-day celebration downtown, starting Jan. 27.

Cooks will prepare their best chili, competitors will hit the ice for a fishing tournament and folks brave enough to jump into icy Anchor Bay will join the .

This year’s Winterfest will kick off with wine tasting in the big tent on Washington Street from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. The Anchor Bay Stars Glee Club will perform in the tent at the start of the wine tasting, followed by a live show from the Sound Alternative, according to New Baltimore Lions Club member Mary Rutledge.

The International Fishing Tournament starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 and ends at 3 p.m. the next day. Competitors may choose any fishing location on Anchor Bay. Fishing licenses are required to participate. Registration forms are available at bait shops in the Anchor Bay area, including M & M Outdoors, 35740 Green St. in New Baltimore, and , 45200 Jefferson Ave. in Chesterfield Township, Rutledge noted.

A free children’s party will be held in the from noon-2 p.m. Jan. 28.

“We offer games and prizes to children 10 and under along with lunch absolutely free,” Rutledge said.

The Chili Cook-Off, which Rutledge said gets bigger each year, it set to take place Saturday evening in the tent on Washington Street. Chili tasting starts at 6 p.m.

Awards will be given for best chili, best chili dip, best chili name, best decorated area, mayor’s choice, Lions president’s choice and people’s choice.

Activities on Sunday, Jan. 29 start out with the Boy Scout Troop 211 Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m.-noon at the indoor pavilion in .

For those able to bear the frigid water, the 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge will start at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Burke Park entrance to Anchor Bay.

“The plunge into Lake St. Clair is a fundraiser,” said Rutledge, co-chair of the Polar Bear Plunge event. “The team or individual that collects the most donations wins the coveted Polar Bear Trophy.”

Music will be played and food will be available in the big tent downtown from noon-6 p.m. Jan. 29, Rutledge added.

Proceeds earned during Winterfest benefit charities supported by the New Baltimore Lions Club, including the New Baltimore Goodfellows and the food pantries at and North Shore Church. The group also purchases eyeglasses for local children and adults in need.

"Because we’re an international club, we have other things we support, such as Leader Dogs for the Blind and the Penrickton Center in Taylor, Mich., which brings children in who are severely handicapped whether it's visually or physically," Rutledge added. "They are given the ability to learn mobility skills and verbal skills. This center survives on donations because they don’t get any government funds."

Registration forms for the Chili Cook-Off and the Polar Bear Plunge are available at the New Baltimore Lions Club website at newbaltimorelions.com.