The 3rd Annual Snow Day in the Bay took place on Saturday, February 28th, bringing the community together for a day of tradition, competition, and winter fun!
The festivities kicked off at the Silver Bay Municipal Lounge with a legendary Bloody Mary Bar. Featuring everything from Zing Zang (Original or Pickle) to beef sticks, bacon, and pickled onions, it was the perfect fuel for the day ahead.
At 9:00 am, the Vintage Snowmobile Ride set off from the Lounge. This event continues to grow in popularity, with 25 riders and 24 vintage sleds participating this year. The group trekked through George’s Gorge to the Blue Jay Vista lookout, where they enjoyed a warming fire and breathtaking views before heading back to town.
Back at the Lounge and the Reunion Hall, the spirit of competition was in the air:
• Cribbage Tournament: 24 teams battled it out for the top spots. Virginia and Richie Palmer of Grand Marais took home 1st place ($220), bragging rights on the annual plaque, and a stunning custom cribbage board crafted by Lyle Dugas. 2nd Place: Sean Bergman & Jesse Siskar ($110), 3rd Place: David Shoen & Nate Wekseth ($70). 4th Place: Troy LeBlanc & Justin Ketola ($50).
• Bean Bag Tournament: Held at the Reunion Hall, Chris Goerdt and Cory Nelson defeated fierce competition to claim the cash prize and their spot on the Lounge’s commemorative plaque.
• Bingo: Sponsored by the Silver Bay M-Club, Bingo saw a full house this year, doubling the funds raised for youth athletics compared to last year.
• Meat Raffle: Hosted by the AfterProm Committee, this event was a massive success, keeping the Lounge packed and lively.
This year saw a special focus on youth activities at the school. To ensure the fun continued regardless of snow conditions, kids enjoyed free cookie decorating, bouncy houses, coloring contests, and Snow Day in the Bay photo ops. These events were made possible through the hard work of the AfterProm committee and the National Honor Society (NHS).
The Vendor Show at the Reunion Hall offered a variety of unique goods, accompanied by the musical talents of WKHS junior Hannah Steward, who donated her time to perform. As evening fell, the crowd at the Lounge danced to the sounds of Ross Thorne & Old Love.
The community’s appetite was well-tended to by the North Shore Hot Dog Cart, which was so popular it completely sold out an hour early! Fortunately, the Rainy Rose Food Truck stepped in ahead of schedule to keep everyone fed.
Snow Day in the Bay was born when Troy and Sylvia LeBlanc, along with Donna McCurdy-Wolke, answered a call from Best of the North Shore to create a signature winter celebration for Silver Bay. Today, with the help of the Silver Trail Riders, Lovin’ Lake County, and countless local volunteers, it has become a staple tradition.
The planning committee is already meeting to discuss next year’s improvements and new ideas. With enough interest and manpower, there is even talk of expanding to a two-day event! If you would like to help out and volunteer, please contact the committee.
You can still purchase a Snow Day in the Bay t-shirt. The proceeds go to WKHS NHS.
• How to order: Visit the official Facebook event page: Snow Day in the Bay.
• Details: The order form is pinned to the top of the page. You can contact Michelle Ketola directly using the info on the form.
The committee extends a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who volunteered, sponsored, or attended. Seeing the community come together is what makes the effort worthwhile. They can’t wait to see you and a few of your friends next year at the 4th Annual Snow Day in the Bay!
