North Hero, Vermont- Bringing people outdoors in winter can be a challenge but an annual event in North Hero is having no trouble attracting crowds. Friday kicked off the 5th annual Great Ice in Grand Isle and despite the temperatures dropping it is still a big success. This is the official kick off to winter fun for folks in the islands. A giant bonfire burning Christmas trees from nearby homes.
"About five years ago just figured it was way too quite in north hero in February," says organizer Robert Camp.
Camp says it started as a way to bring the community out in the winter, "And people just thank us for doing it because they can bring their kids and its free the whole thing is free."
It's a two weekend event of fun on the ice but to stay warm the event kicked off with a chili contest.
"I like number 5, we don't whose it is yet but I like it, it's spicy its got a couple of beans and a nice smoky flavor, it's nice," says Robert Michalec of North Hero.
There were 8 pots of chili in all and people couldn't get enough as they tasted and voted on their favorite recipe.
"This is the third year for the chili cook off and again it was just an idea that someone came up with," says Camp.
The events last this weekend and next weekend and starting tomorrow with pick up hockey games and a dance tomorrow evening benefiting the North Hero Historical Society.
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