Hale Winterfest back after decade
by Jason Ogden

HALE - In 1998, the doors of Hale’s long running winter festival closed.

After a decade, the festival is being reborn as the “Hale Yes Winter Fes,” taking place Saturday throughout Hale. The event is sponsored by the Hale Area Association.
According to organizer Kathleen Baker, the major reason for restarting the festival is because it hasn’t been around for a long time.

“I think that was pretty much it,” she said. “The economy had taken a pretty hard hit, everyone’s business is extremely slow and we started a group to get people to come into the community to spend time and money.”

The festival will take place in locations around Hale, but the center of the events will be at the Plainfield Township Hall, located on M-65 in downtown Hale.

According to Baker, the festival’s chili contest will take place at the hall.

“There are going to be five or six people serving chili there,” she said, and added other businesses in town will be serving it as well.

To get in on the action, one must buy a cup, she said, which are sold at the hall. The contest runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The winning business will receive a traveling trophy. Baker said the cups are also available at Alward’s Market and Bernard’s Building Center.

Baker said many of the original trophies that were used in the original festival will be used this year, keeping a tradition alive.

One traditional event which is being brought back is the outhouse races.

The event will start at 1 p.m. at the hall. Baker said that, basically, the structure must be built entirely of wood or cardboard and sit on wheels.

The winning business will receive a traveling trophy. Baker said the cups are also available at Alward’s Market and Bernard’s Building Center.

Baker said many of the original trophies that were used in the original festival will be used this year, keeping a tradition alive.

One traditional event which is being brought back is the outhouse races.

The event will start at 1 p.m. at the hall. Baker said that, basically, the structure must be built entirely of wood or cardboard and sit on wheels.

“We’re going to judge on categories,” she said. A laundry list of rules for the races, as well as how to enter the event, can be obtained by calling organizer Peggy Lewis at 728-5760.

According to Baker, one event which is taking place during the festival, the 3rd annual Hale Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Show and Swap, will ensure a large amount of people will be in town for the weekend.

“We know people travel really far to do that,” he said.

With that event occurring at the same time, there are plenty of things to do in Hale on Saturday.

The schedule of events includes a pancake breakfast at the American Legion Hall starting at 8 a.m. The breakfast costs $5 per person.

An ice fishing contest will take place on Little Londo Lake from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with prizes for adults and children.

A frozen chicken shuffle will take place at the Hale Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a bake sale and prizes.

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a singles bowling tournament at the Hale Creek Lanes.

That night there will be a spaghetti supper from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hale VFW Hall, with an awards ceremony and a free dance open to the public.

Later, a dance open to the public will take place at the Hale Eagles Club from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The last Hale Winterfest was held in 1998. The festival was held annually for 22 years before it was cancelled.

Baker is looking for volunteers to run the event. More information about the event, or information to volunteer, can be obtained by calling 728-4ART.