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From the Baysider

Alton Winter Carnival set for Feb. 16
ALTON — The Alton Winter Carnival will be held on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Bay from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Alton Business Association and the town of Alton, there will be games, music, food, prizes and fun. The schedule includes a pancake breakfast, kids’ ice fishing contest, helicopter rides, crazy hat contest, bob-house decorating contest, snowmobile parade (decorated and/ or vintage snowmobiles), kids’ games, bed race, photo scavenger hunt, police K-9 demonstration and more. A schedule will be available the week before the event. For more information on how you can be involved contact Chris Racine at 875-4100, Ext. 104 or email: chris.racine@profilebank.com.
Any non-profit organizations that would like to participate for the day, please contact Racine at the contacts listed above.
The bob-house decorating contest sign-up, the day of the carnival, will be at the information/ticket booth beginning at 8 a.m.

Rotary hosting kids’ fishing derby on Feb. 16
ALTON — The Alton Centennial Rotary Club invites kids up to age 15 from throughout New Hampshire and neighboring New England states to Alton Bay for the sixth annual free kids’ fishing derby on Sunday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration takes place in Alton Bay at the parking lot bandstand. Participants need adult supervision and may be assisted by anyone with a fishing license. Fishing derby bibs will be given to the first 50 participants; trophies will be awarded for the largest fish caught in three different age categories, (0 to 7, 8-12 and 13-15). This event is one of many family oriented events offered during the Alton Winter Carnival that is organized by the Alton Business Association. Fewer children registered last year due to blizzard conditions but several trophies were awarded. Fish species caught included pickerel, rainbow trout, yellow perch and cusk. Participants must cut their line and release any black bass or salmon.
Ice safety is encouraged throughout this event. Keep away from any open water around docks with bubblers and old ice fishing holes that may still be unfrozen. The ice fishing area is limited to the area from Sandy Point south to the Alton town beach. Any plowed areas are set aside for aircraft or for the snow machine radar-run. Volunteers with ice-augers are always needed to assist the kids with drilling ice holes. Student volunteers from Prospect Mountain High School, earning community service hours, will be on hand to assist the Rotary Club with the registration. A limited amount of tip ups and shiners for bait will be available. Brian Mitchell at Amylyn’s Corner Market and Brian’s Bobber Shop in Alton Bay will donate bait and prizes for the kids’ fishing derby. Denise Terravecchia at the Ice Out Antique and Consignment Store has offered a place to warm up. Visit all of the unique Alton Bay stores during the Winter Carnival celebration. Please call Jim Fontaine at 875-0110 or David Countway at 875-3128 or 520-5211 if you would like to assist the Alton Rotary Club with this fun event.