The Ice Guessing contest, aka The Ice Pool has been happening in Dawson City since 1896 when the garbage that had been thrown on the frozen Yukon River over the winter months was seen to start moving in the spring and that was the sign that the ice was going out. Things have changed since then. For the past several decades there has been a Tripod erected on the frozen river. A wire is connected to the Tripod and is run to a clock secure in a box and firmly mounted on a wall on the shore. The clock stops when the ice moves the Tripod and trips the wire. Someone sees that the ice is moving and immediately phones the Volunteer Fire Department and they in turn ring the fire siren. Then the people flock to the river bank. IODE has been running this contest for about 60 years. At one time people got paid for at least some of their efforts but these days it's a strictly volunteer affair. Our good friends The Yukon Order of Pioneers use their skills to put up the Tripod, built with donated lumber and donated wire that leads to the clock - also donated!! People all over town, along the Klondike Highway and in Whitehorse sell Ice Guessing Tickets for us until April 25th and then volunteers help sort the tickets. IODE is a women's charitable organisation that has been active in Dawson since 1914. The proceeds after expenses are split 50-50 with the winning guesser and IODE (which puts the money to good works improving the quality of life for children, youth and those in need). |