Lions Club readies for 30th Winterfest
New additions planned for four-day event
It’s a milestone year for the New Baltimore Lions Club.
The group will host its 30th annual Winterfest in the city Thursday to Sunday. A slew of activities, ranging from live music and a fishing contest to a steak cook-off and the polar plunge, are planned for the four-day celebration downtown.
“The Lions will be celebrating their diamond 30thyear anniversary where we will be showcasing many new additions,” Winterfest Chair Laura Szymanski said. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, guests will be welcomed into two heated tents of fun, eight bands throughout the weekend, food trucks and plenty of family activities.”
New this year will be a steak cook-off on Saturday with first-place prize of $1,000.
“We are honored to be hosting the first (Steak Cookoff Association event) in the state of Michigan,” Szymanski said. “Steak Cookoff Association hosts steak cook-offs nationally as well as internationally, and our winner will be invited to Texas for the world championship.”
Boneless choice ribeye steaks are being donated by Weiss’ Meats & Deli in Chesterfield Township. Second place pays $500; third, $300; fourth, $200; fifth, $75, and sixth to 10th, $50. Those interested in competing or judging can register at steakcookfoffs.com.
“Teams are being added as we speak and are attending from California and Connecticut,” Szymanski said.
The entry fee is $160 for the steak cook-off, and $25 for an appetizer competition that pays $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.
Returning this year on Sunday will be the Guns N’ Hoses War on the Shore competition on between the city’s police and fire departments. Donations collected during the tug of war match will be given to the winning team’s association.
Additional highlights will include free Family Day activities and the polar plunge.
Family Day, set to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, will offer a slew of activities, including games, music, laser tag, pony rides, caricatures by Dan D’Addario, vision screening, chair massages and fitness classes. Stan the Fireman will offer rides on a mini fire truck and Clark Lewis the juggler will perform.
Children will also receive complimentary lunch and afternoon snack provided
by New Baltimore eateries Little Camille’s By The Bay and Trini’s Mexican Carryout.
Polar plunge participants will brave the chilly waters of Anchor Bay at 1 p.m. Sunday at Walter and Mary Burke Park.
“The polar bear plunge has been one of the Winterfest highlights for many years, and its popularity is maintained for a number of reasons,” Szymanski said. “People of all ages participate each year, maybe because it’s been said once you plunge, ‘You have bragging rights forever.’ Folks have enjoyed the plunge for over 20 years.”
Plunge teams vary in size from one to 40 members, ranging in age from middle schoolers to retirees.
“We do encourage teams to collect additional donations, as awards are given to the best costume, highest money raised by an individual and the prized traveling trophy of highest money raised by a team and bar/ restaurant. MGM and Wilsons Café have held those for the past few years,” Szymanski said, noting more than 160 people were signed up to take the plunge a couple weeks ahead of the event.
Preregistration will be open until one week before the event. Same-day registration will be open until 12:30 p.m. The first 125 plungers are guaranteed a plunge T-shirt. This year’s shirt features a design created by Anchor Bay High School senior Colin Brady.
“Colin is a very talented young artist with a great
eye for design,” said teacher Elizabeth VanNuck.
The Lions Club has selected a winning T-shirt design from entries submitted by local students for the past four years.
“We present an award to the Colin on the Lions stage just before the plunge and have found it a perfect way to support our graphic art students,” Szymanski said.
A cornhole tournament hosted by MotorCity Cornhole kicks off at noon Sunday. The tournament entry fee is $20. Social cornhole can be played Friday, while league cornhole is set for Saturday.
Event proceeds support various causes
Winterfest is the New Baltimore Lions Club’s largest annual fundraising event.
“All of the money raised throughout the weekend supports our numerous charities, service projects and community events, which are approaching 100,” Szymanski said, noting blue signs listing charities supported by the club will be posted in both tents.
The club will also be actively engaging Lions International global causes.
“We are thrilled to be providing vision screening, collecting eyeglasses, family exercise classes and blood sugar checks,” the event chair said. “All tips collected will be forwarded to St. Jude’s.”
“And we will no longer fill the landfills with thousands of cups, steins and
pitchers,” she added, “but will partner with local nonprofit and animal rescue groups in our recycling efforts.”
Szymanski said the Winterfest committee works tirelessly year-round in strategic planning to offer safe and exciting additions, with members offering food trucks, new free family entertainment and more.
“Many committee members attended additional training offered by the Port Huron Police Department, and on another weekend attended TAM certification classes,” she said. “This solid team’s commitment is unmatched.”
Szymanski, who is also a member of the New Baltimore City Council, has been leading the event for five years.
“Since I assumed the role of Winterfest chair five years ago we have doubled the size of Winterfest and marketed to new audiences each year, along with innovative ways to serve the public,” she said. “I set personal goals for myself as well as for the event, to which I believe we have met and exceeded in most years.”
She added: “I’d like to thank my committee members: Lions Karen Lietke, Jason Harvey, Darrin McInerney, Alina Kozlowski, Cathy Byrum, Rick DeClaire, Sue Cipriano, Tim Webb, Jeff Byrum, Colleen Wooten, Andre Balser, Brian Trinity, Jodi Gunst, Renee Baker, Brittany Tarsenko, Rebecca Zampaglione, Michelle Boyd, Jody McInerney, Mary Higgins, Brian Baker, Glenn Zampaglione, Bob Higgins, Rose Addy, Diane Thomson, Danielle Martinez, Michele Tolar and Craig Cole, and other community volunteers Bill Ward, Steve Grosso Mike Anulli and Eric Haydamack. A job well done.
“We also want to thank the DPS, fire and police departments, who provide the safest environment for all our guests.”