Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Tip Up Town USA
The 58th Annual Tip-Up Town USA®
Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we’re adding Broomball this year! And it’s still all for the great value of $5 for a TUT badge!
Lyman Foster, owner of Lyman’s on the Lake, and a Board Member of the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce explains why ice fishing is so popular: “Being relatively shallow, Houghton Lake freezes quickly and it’s not unusual to have 12” or more of solid ice covering the lake by the time Tip-Up Town rolls around. There is a great variety of fish in the lake – Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill – something for all fishermen, young and old. And the festival got its name from the equipment that Ice Fishermen like to use while enjoying the sport – Tip Ups! In fact, Houghton Lake grows into a bigger town in the winter, thanks to all the shanties parked out on the ice.”
And what do you get when you put together great fishing conditions and Tip-Up Town? Well, for one thing you get the TUT Ice Fishing Contests, for adults and children. Ivan Bassett, volunteer organizer of the TUT Ice Fishing Contest explains: “This year, there will be cash prizes in both the individual and largest catch categories for adults. Plus, for every entry into the contest, you get a chance to win $100 in the grand draw, held once each weekend. Each of the six individual catch classes (Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Rock Bass and Bluegill/Sunfish) offers a $25 first prize for the largest fish brought in by 1:00 on both Sundays. It’s great fun to stand and watch the official ‘fish board’ as the fish start to come in and you wonder which fish will be the winner. Or, if quantity, is more your style, plan on entering the largest catch contest, with two categories – Walleye/Northern Pike or the Pan Fish combo class with $50 first prizes.”
The younger fishermen (14 and under) get a chance to compete too in their own contest run both Saturdays. There are prizes for the largest catch in the same individual classes as the main fishing contest.
All that is required for entry into either fishing contests is a 2008 Tip-Up Town USA badge, still great value at $5.
And, if that isn’t enough, watch out for Wally and his friends and you could be fishing for big dollars. In fact, if you go fishing on Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, or Lake St Helen any time between now and March 15th and are skilful enough to pull out one of the 19 specially tagged fish (including Walleye, Blue Gill, Pike, Bass, Crappie or Perch) you will get a chance to win $25,000 and a minimum of $1,000 at the grand draw on April 1st, 2008. (At the time of writing, only one tagged fish has been caught).
What’s New
Broom Ball – yes, this popular sport will ‘sweep you away’; TUT Tailgate party - come down to the Entertainment Tent on both Fridays from 6:00-10:00pm and toast TUT in style! Plus, we’ve extended the Entertainment Tent hours on both Saturdays. Both tents will now be open from 10:00am to 6:00pm; Ice Fishing for Kids.
What’s Familiar
Ice Fishing contest – join an army of fishermen (and women) out on the ice vying for first place
Carnival – how many places can you look over a frozen lake from the top of a Ferris Wheel in freezing temperatures?
Polar Bear Dip – yes, you too, can strip down to the bare essentials and jump into the freezing cold water!
Ice Slide – it’s fast, it’s slippery, it’s cold, it’s great fun
Winter Parade – get creative, get building and get on parade!
Family Fun Tent – the most family entertainment you can get under canvas
Entertainment Tent – adult entertainment day and night
Horseshoes and Red Neck horseshoes – how far can you throw a toilet seat
Games galore – whether you prefer pie eating, bubble gum blowing or tire rolling, check out the stage and join in the fun
Turkey and Chicken Bowling
Tug-O-War – on your marks, get set, pull, slide, pull!
Prize Wheel – match your numbers and spin to win!
Plus ice sculptures, the medallion hunts, lots of fun food, ice and wood carving demonstrations, antique snowmobiles and much much more!
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