Houghton Rotary Club wants you to guess when the sled will sink

HOUGHTON/HANCOCK — The Keweenaw Peninsula is home to some pretty unique community events: things like Heikenpaiva, the Yooper Luge, and of course Michigan Tech adds to that with many of their activities. One winter contest is underway right now and there’s still time for you to join in.

Sink The Sled is open to all people over the age of 18, where contestants try to pin point the exact date and time that Mother Nature gives us enough warm weather to melt the ice that’s underneath this old Johnson Snowmobile, that can no longer be supported by the frozen canal.

“One of our members decided that I his would be a fun thing to do, and it’s kind of a novel idea. You know, this is the kind of thing we do,” said Marilyn Swift, a member of the Houghton Rotary Club.

This is the second annual contest and March 29th is the one-year anniversary of the first sinking, but this year colder temperatures are hanging around a little longer, which means the Houghton Rotary Club is still accepting contest entries.

“I think we have a few more days, maybe another week or two. You just never know, I mean, you know how the Copper Country is,” Swift added.

Multiple entries are welcome and the contest is open to entries while the sled remains above the ice. Guesses are $3, or two for $5. The guess closest to the actual date and time will win 50% of the value of purchased tickets up to a maximum of $1000.

The snow machine is eco-friendly and no longer has an engine, therefore poses no contamination threat to the Portage Canal.

“The Sled was purchased and we had to strip it and the DNR had to approve it, and take everything thing out of it and we had it cleaned, and built a rack for it and put a sign on it, and put it out in the water,” she said.

How does the sled get retrieved from the water?

“It’s connected to a cable, and as soon as it goes in, we will be pulling it out shortly there after,” Swift added.

Proceeds from the fundraiser go to various community events. Entries can be submitted at www.sinkthesled.com.