BRAINERD — The 35th annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza will boast a theme for the first time — Kickin' it Back to the '90s to celebrate the event's start in 1991 and key members who helped develop the tournament.
We just can't wait to be back with our 10,000 best friends, raising money for great causes and bringing back our favorite tradition.
The contest is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, back on Gull Lake's Hole-in-the-Day Bay. It was held on different area lakes last year because of poor ice conditions.
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"We're grateful for the people that supported us last year, and we're excited to have everybody back this year," said Sheena Ziegler, event co-chair and marketing director. "We just can't wait to be back with our 10,000 best friends, raising money for great causes and bringing back our favorite tradition."
Ziegler said the Jaycees are aware of an ice heave through the contest area and are monitoring it closely with officials.
Regarding the first themed year, Ziegler said: "We're just really excited that we've made it 35 years. We wanted to do something different and new and fresh. That's the name of the game with the organization."
A free kickoff party will start at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Zorbaz on Gull with '90s music, a silent auction and a costume contest.
People are welcome to wear 1990s gear on the ice Feb. 1 as well, Ziegler said.
The contest will feature new vendors and sponsors this year.
You don't have to have a ticket to come out and check it out and play games. ... It's a community event. We're out there raising money. We're not just out there ice fishing.
Ziegler stressed that anyone can check out the contest site and participate in activities on the ice. The $50 tickets are only required to participate in the ice fishing contest for prizes.
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"You don't have to have a ticket to come out and check it out and play games. Enjoy the cheese curds. Enjoy the games. Enjoy all the things that we have out there," Ziegler said. "It's a community event. We're out there raising money. We're not just out there ice fishing."
She encouraged people to download the B93.3 app to participate in a scavenger hunt on the ice Feb. 1.
They're adding more family activities as well. The Youth Olympics will take place again, where the first 100 kids who play receive a bucket of ice fishing gear. The WonderTrek Children's Museum will be on the ice, along with youth angler groups doing activities.
Ziegler and the Jaycees are happy with the cold weather.
"We have been very blessed with the weather we've had so far. Things are looking good for us," she said, noting official word of the contest will come next week.
Ziegler encouraged people to keep an eye on social media and the website — icefishing.org — for updates and information.
For people looking for activities in the area when it's not contest time, Ziegler encouraged them to check out Crosslake for that city's annual WinterFest activities Jan. 30-Feb. 1.
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The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is billed as the world’s largest charitable ice fishing contest, where every ticket helps the organization give back to the community.
The primary beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, a year-round outdoor center for people of all ages with developmental disabilities, along with other charities.
Prizes anglers can win include a pickup truck, fish house, four-wheeler, ice augers and more.
The event generates over $1 million in revenue for area businesses and over $150,000 for area charities annually. Over $3 million has been donated since its inception.
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