Kites at Lake Antoine canceled
Ice conditions judged too unsafe to have third-annual event March 8-9
Trending
IRON MOUNTAIN -- The 2024 Kites Over Awesome Lake Antoine -- KOALA -- event at Lake Antoine Park has been canceled.
Lake Antoine Park Partners board members met with Lake Antoine County Park Manager Eric Robinson on Monday to check conditions on the park's grounds to determine if the kite flying set for March 8-9 could safely continue.
Robinson, along with KOALA event chairman Barb Kramer and LAPP treasurer Ann Hruska, walked the shoreline to observe ice conditions.
"The ice is so unstable even now, and the weather forecast is for temperatures in the 60s for the next 10 days," said Kramer, noting the cracks in the ice are opening to 18 inches in the fly zone.
"Since safety is our utmost concern, we made the decision to call off the event today so we can have time to notify our sponsors, vendors and, of course, our wonderful kite friends," Kramer said.
The 2023-2024 mild winter has affected ice conditions on Midwest bodies of water, especially in the past two weeks. With sunlight, plus daytime temperatures in the 50s, melting the ice on the Dickinson County lake, the overnight lows are not cold enough to regenerate safe ice.
A 6-inch minimum of healthy ice is required to anchor the kites and support the fliers, according to members of the Wisconsin Kiters Club.
The safety of the fliers and of the public coming to attend the event was a top priority for LAPP, organizers said.
In addition to safety concerns, LAPP had to consider a significant ice shove could make walking on the beach difficult, plus bare ground and puddles in the lawn area could create muddy areas.
Two previous KOALA events drew thousands of viewers to the lake.
Funds for the third KOALA event had come from local businesses and organizations.
LAPP appreciates the sponsors that helped make it a free event to the public. The business sponsors will be contacted about their financial contribution.