Swan Lake Ice Fishing Derby and Chili Cook-off RECAP
Heartland Acres Ice Fishing Derby and Chili Cook off fund raisers bring fun, food and funds together to support local causes.
Ice fishing teams from around the area participated in the Heartland Acres Ice Fishing Derby on Swan Lake. The Lake is a popular attraction for the annual derby held the second weekend in February. Normally, Swan Lake remains closed to the public but on occasion is opened for special events in order to help promote fishing and help maintain the health and wellbeing of Swan Lake.
Thirteen ice fishing teams drilled through over 20″ of solid ice. Over the three hour period the derby contest ran, a total of 12 pounds of crappie were harvested along with several largemouth bass and a channel cat. For this contest only crappie and bluegill we included in the final weigh in.
The final outcome of the Ice Fishing Derby:
– First Place went to Independence Ice Holes with a total weight of 7 pounds 7 ounces.
– Second Place went to Cy & Charley’s with a total weight of 2 pounds.
– Third Place went to ECIREC with a total weight of 2 pounds.
The tie was given to Cy & Charley’s for second place as their catch also included a Largemouth Bass. Both teams ewer fin with the ruling.
The Grand Prize Raffle winner was Paul Kurt. Paul’s ticket purchases won him a fish finder valued at $400.00. A total of eight raffle prizes were award totaling a retail value of over $600.00. Prizes included discount offers as well as related ice fishing equipment from area suppliers.
Ice hole drilling completion was also brought back this year. In the Manual Ice Auger hole drilling competition, teams were represented by Team Get ‘em up and Cy and Charley’s. Team Get ‘em up took first place honors with Cy & Charley’s coming in a close second. In the Power Ice Auger hole drilling competition, teams from Spahn & Rose, Dunlap Motors, and Cy & Charley’s. The Power completion was won by Cy & Charley’s. The winning team from each completion took home $40.00.
Congratulations to all the anglers for participating in the 2014 Heartland Acres Ice Fishing Derby. The 2015 Ice Fishing Derby is tentatively set for the second Sunday, February 8, 2015. Watch for further updates and more fishing events on Swan Lake.
In the Chili Cookoff completion, there were three teams competing. Teams supporting projects with Buchanan County Historical Society, Kidsville Early Learning Center and Heartland 4H Kids Club rang up tips and donations totaling over $535. The projects being supported by these are all beneficial to the community.
– First Place went to Buchanan County Historical Society. Chef Joel Olsen has long track record of wins in the cookoff.
– Second Place went to Heartland 4H Kids Club. Chef Amber VanRee is also the club leader and along with 4H kids did an excellent job of making chili for their first time out.
-Third Place went to Rex Goodrich. Rex did a fantastic job raising funds for Kidsville Early Learning Center with his chili that incorporated an amazing blend of many spices.
All events were well supported and many thanks go to the participants, sponsors and guests who turned out to support these activities at Heartland Acres.
Find Heartland Acres on Facebook, visit www.heartlandlandacresusa.com or call 319.332.0123 or better yet stop out and see us at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd, Independence, IA 50644.
