EVENTS: Gene Letourneau ice fishing tourney on tap for Sunday

The Annual Gene & Lucille Letourneau Ice Fishing Derby will take place on Sunday, February 16, at the Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold Street, in Waterville, as a fundraiser for Spectrum Generations (Meals on Wheels). Experience this mid-winter tradition for ice fishing enthusiasts and families! Established by Maine’s great outdoorsman and his wife, Gene and Lucille Letourneau, the ice fishing derby attracts people (of all ages) throughout the state to compete for cash prizes, try a chance at winning the raffle prize – a YETI Tundra 65 Cooler package – and participate in various indoor and outdoor winter carnival activities.

Fish on any safe, legal Maine pond or lake of your choice, then gather at the Muskie Community Center during the official weigh-in between 2 – 5 p.m. This multigenerational family event encourages ages 15 and under to compete in their own category. Cash prizes are awarded for first and second place in eight fish categories for adults and ten categories for youth participants.

All are welcomed to attend and enjoy the firepit, S’mores, hot cocoa, popcorn, cornhole, pool table, silent auction (open all day for bids) and to purchase tasty food from Maine Pine Catering – with a portion of food sale proceeds supporting Spectrum Generations. Bring your children to experience arts and craft activities starting at 10 a.m. The Magic of Conjuring Carroll between 1 and 2 p.m., Mr. Drew and His Animals Too, between 2 and 3 p.m.; and children’s book authors Sharon Hood with her book, Where’d My Jammies Go, and Tonya Shevenell with her book, The Moon Over Malibu Maine. Both authors will have books for sale and are available to autograph copies for guests.

Ice Fishing Derby tickets can be purchased online and at several locations including the Muskie Community Center (Waterville), Backcountry Baits (Waterville), Christy’s Country Store (Belgrade), D&L Country Store (Oakland), Harvest Time Baits (Winslow), Middle Road General Store (Sidney), Tri-Pond Variety (Smithfield), Twins Country Store (Augusta), the Cohen Community Center (Hallowell) and at the Spectrum Generations office in Augusta. Each ticket allows a fish entry and an entry into the raffle prize drawing for a Yeti Tundra Cooler and drink tumblers (you do not need to enter a fish to be included in the raffle drawing)! Tickets to enter a fish are sold only until noon, on February16.

The Ice Fishing Derby & Winter Carnival is a fundraiser supporting the programs and services of Spectrum Generations including Meals on Wheels and other nutrition-related services for older adults and adults with disabilities. To purchase tickets and review tournament rules please visit: https://www.spectrumgenerations.org/events/ice-fishing-derby. For more information, please contact Sandra MacDonald, Regional Center Director smacdonald@spectrumgenerations.org or call 207-873-4745.