QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – Nearly perfect weather is in place today for the 2016 Quincy Chain of Lakes Tip-Up Festival with a one day happening this year for the 54th annual event at Tip-Up Island. Nearly only because the below normal temperatures with the arctic like setting could have arrived and settled in about a week earlier and a bit more snow could have fallen as ingredients to produce a thicker ice covering on Marble Lake. A recent ice depth measurement of 4″, which was spotty in places, prompted the cancellation of the snowmobile and quad races. But just about everything else is in tip top shape for a full day of family fun for everyone ranging from fishing contests, kids games, the popular polar bear splash and Fisherman’s Ball and there’s plenty of food and prizes as well.
Branch County’s Michigan DNR Conservation officer Isaac Tyson called the ice conditions “iffy” since over the last two weeks, there have been intermittent thaws in between the sometimes quite cold temperatures. Tyson says he mainly stresses for people to be extremely cautious and use common sense. If you do venture out onto the ice, never go it alone, always have somebody else with you and it’s a good idea to have safety gear like ice picks, ropes and flotation devices just in case.
