Winter Games brings relief from cabin fever

Nearly 200 brave Midwesterners took the leap in the Polar Plunge on Saturday, Jan 31 near the Railroad Tressle Bridge. (Photo by Chris Yungbluth)

Cooped up Winter Games enthusiasts flocked to the 30th annual event in record totals this year, and Jen Johnson, program director for the Chamber, has the numbers to prove it. Attendance surged starting with the RE/MAX Chili Feed at the Dickinson County Expo Center Friday night.

"Our estimation, just from the mug sales, we thought there were 2,460 people at the chili cook-off and that doesn't account for all the vendors and all of the ladies with the Spirit of Harmony Chorus that were selling desserts," Johnson said.

The rest of the weekend followed in the same fashion. Smith's bay-based tournaments, including flag football, softball, broomball and new event feature, the bean bag toss, all swelled to capacity, and 189 fearless contestants braved the polar plunge (an increase from last year's total of 140).

This year's ArtsLIVE People Project, a volunteer-led initiative to create a 100-foot cardinal replica on Miller's Bay at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, had no problem creating the image thanks to a total of 205 participants.

Johnson knows attendance figures this were the result of the rough, long winter the region has experienced.

"I think the attendance was so great (because) not only was it the 30th Annual Winter Games, I think people had been cooped up over the holidays with the inclement weather that we've witnessed the past month - and couple that with having cabin fever and people really wanted to get out and have a good time."

Another contributing factor Johnson knows impacted attendance is the increasing diversity of the Games itinerary.

"I think a lot of people in years past had just thought 'it's just games on the ice,' and look what it's evolved into," she said. "There's so many indoor activities with Pinochle, chess, the Chocolate Classic, Mah Jongg, the Winter Follies (Talent Show)."

After months of battling an endless stream of blizzards and ice, Johnson could tell participants were ready to finally enjoy the season.

"People just seemed in good spirit, jovial, I think they're just appreciate to have had an outlet and some recreation," she said.

With another Winter Games season wrapped up, Johnson is openly thankful for the widespread community effort the Games require.

"When you think about how many people it takes to make the Games a reality, we could write thank-you's for a week straight," she said.

For more Winter Games photos, visit www.dickinsoncountynews.com. Also, stay tuned for further post-Games coverage, competition results and more in the Feb. 12 issue of "The Okobojian."