Winterfests warm the blood during the coldest months

Like father, like son: John and Charlie Velis (left) jump into frigid South Bar Lake during Empire’s Winterfest Polar Dip last weekend (photo Ryan Romeike); Skiers from downstate, Dave and Brian Johnson (right) warm up with hearty chili at Glen Arbor’s Winterfest this past weekend (photo Mike Buhler).

By H. Michael Buhler
Sun editor
Mitchell Roman of Empire summed it up best: “it’s lots of fun!” The Hillsdale College-bound Glen Lake High School senior was taking a break from the eighth annual President’s Weekend Winterfest Chili Cookoff in Glen Arbor, which followed Empire’s own Winterfest by a week. (Empire’s bash is known best for its crazed “Polar Dip” through a hole in the ice on South Bar Lake.)
Warming himself inside Boone Docks restaurant in downtown Glen Arbor this past weekend, Mitchell celebrated his 18th birthday with 18 samples of chili. Among his favorites were offerings from Leelanau Coffee Roasting and Bear Paw Pizza.
Outside on the Boone Docks deck, father and son Dave and Brian Johnson of Eaton Rapids huddled around a wood fire, halfway through their sampling. This was their third year, and the first time the weather had broken single digits for them (it was 26 degrees this year, compared to 5 degrees the previous two). “We ski, eat chili, and go back to The Homestead for more skiing,” said Dave. “It’s the coolest thing.”
This year’s Chili Cookoff, sponsored by the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce, not only drew a record number of entries, but also well over 300 tasters. To award more prizes and streamline the judging, two categories were created: traditional and non-traditional chilis. Winning on the traditional side was Dave Moffat of Peace Pole Makers, and claiming second were Bob and Laurie Hug of Grand Rapids. Bob Ewing of Bear Paw Pizza took first in the non-traditional division with his Surf ‘n Turf chili of beef and seafood, served complete with a crab claw. Second place was awarded to Guillaume Hazael-Massieux of La Bécasse Restaurant with his innovative Lamb chili. Is it any coincidence that three of the four winners — Guillaume, Bob and Dave — are professionally trained chefs? Perhaps we’ll delve into this more next year.
The other big element of the Glen Arbor Winterfest is the famed Perch Fishing Contest, hosted by the Sportsman Shop. The Fosmores (who have won many a derby) swept the first three places, with dad Ken in first, netting a 13-7/8” perch, followed by sons Brad and Brian. They split the cash purse. Receiving a $50 gift certificate from Art’s Tavern was Joe Crowther, who finished fourth.
More of staff photographer Ryan Romeike’s Empire Polar Dip photos
Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce website