There are many little signs that spring is here. The crocuses and daffodils unfurl. Thunder storms resume, along with tornado warnings. Elementary kids get their third quarter report cards. Easter approaching. A sharp uptick in gardening books being checked out at the library. An itch to get outside on just about any day above 50 degrees. And of course, the Nenana Ice Classic.
Not familiar with the Nenana Ice Classic? That’s okay. Neither was I a month ago. And when I first heard it mentioned, I thought it was an ice hockey game. You know, like when the NHL teams faceoff on an outdoor rink on New Year’s day? But no.
The Nenana Ice Classic got it’s start in 1917 when a group of railroad engineers pooled $800 and bet on when break up would happen. They picked dates/times, down to the minute, that they thought the ice would break. The tradition is still going strong, with last year’s winning ticket worth more than $230,000.
I’ve lived around lakes most of my life, but never really cared about break up; unless, it was to see if anyone’s ice fishing shed fell through the lake that year. But break up in Alaska is a big deal. Ice can pile up along river banks crushing anything left too close. Water can get on top of the ice and flood the land.
But break up is not just a list of potential catastrophes. I don’t feel comfortable speaking to modern break ups, but historically it meant boats and ships could move again, the fish would soon be running soon, and it’s time to prepare for the short summer.
Interested when break up occurs? There’s a chart for that! Check out this mini database of break up dates based on specific bodies of water. In Nome 1920, break up on the Bering Sea happened on June 13th. The Snake River and the Norton Sound seem to break up around the same time, though no specific information is listed for 1920.
But now, I know what you’ve been wondering this whole time. “This is cool Sarah, but can I get in on this Nenana Ice Classic?!”
YES, you CAN! You too can buy a ticket for $2.50. You’ll send your money to the organization along with your dates/times, and they’ll send you back the tickets. Here is the link to their website again: https://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/
I’ll be playing. If I win, it’ll finance a trip for my family to visit Nome, and then a huge chunk will be donated to non-profits in Nome. Just seems right that since most of the money is coming from Alaska, most should stay there.
Northern Skies Publishing 