Merrill, WI -- It’s not too late to get your Merrill Ice Shanty registered for the 1^st annual Northwoods Ice Shanty Pageant!  The deadline has been extended to February 19.  You may not think your Shanty is anything special, but WE disagree.  The beauty of a Shanty is in the eye of the beholder so all Merrill Shanty’s will do!

Is your Shanty rustic or new? Is it whimsical or nostalgic; a family Shanty heirloom or a rummage sale find?  Is it colorful or has a theme all its own; a stand alone beauty, a plain Jane or a home away from home?  Maybe it’s heated or maybe it’s cold; furnished or bare to the bone.  No matter the size, shape or condition your Shanty is special – it’s your ice fishing home!

All local Shanty Pageant competitors will be judged on their creativity and originality.  Winners of the local pageants will be announced on Monday, March 1, 2010.  Local winners will receive a $25 Chamber gift certificate and a shanty trophy – be the first in your Shanty neighborhood to win one of these, you can start  a Shanty shelf and brag about your win!

Proud Shanty owners can pick-up their entry form at their local Chamber office.  The entry fee is $10.

Winners of the local pageants will advance to the 2010 Northwood Ice Shanty Pageant Regional that will be held in conjunction with the World Ice Fishing Championship in Rhinelander on March 12 through March 14, 2010.

All Local winners will participate in the Parade of Champions to be held in Downtown Rhinelander on Friday, March 12, 2010.  A “People’s Choice” competition will be held during the parade.  Local winners will then showcase their shanties at Hodag Park, where judges will evaluate the competitors on Saturday, March 13^th.  The Regional winner will receive a Northwoods Ice Shanty Pageant trophy as well as a prize package valued at $500.

The People’s Choice and Judges’ Best winners will be announced on Saturday, March 13th at Hodag Park.

The Northwoods Ice Shanty Pageant is a cooperative effort being coordinated by the Antigo/Langlade County Chamber of Commerce, Crandon/Forest County Chamber of Commerce, Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, and Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Contacts:

Antigo/Langlade County Chamber of Commerce                                  Crandon/Forest County Chamber of Commerce

Deena Grabowsky - (715) 623-4134                                                        Melinda Otto - (715) 478-3450

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Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce                                               Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce

Debbe Kinsey - (715) 536-9474                                                           Tamra Anderson - (715) 453-5334 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                                                          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce

Kim Swisher - (715) 365-7465

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