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DECEMBER 22, 2009 ISSUE

Winterfest at Beech Mountain January 9 and 10

Story by Corinne Saunders

Cardboard Box Derby Rules

Entries must be sponsored by an affinity group, such as a business, church, community organization, etc. Only one entry is allowed per group.
One or two pilots are allowed. Pilots must be in the vehicle for the entire race. Handheld ski poles or sticks are required, and no one will be allowed to race without a helmet.
Vehicles must be made of cardboard box material, have a minimum of three sides that are at least 10 inches high and be lettered and decorated.
Examples of materials that cannot be used for decoration purposes are: staples (unless they are originally in the box) wood, metal, plastic, rubber, epoxy, screws, nails or fiberglass. Examples of materials that can be used for decoration purposes are: oil or water based paint, tape, varnish, shellac and polyurethane. Call with any questions regarding allowable materials.
Registration will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the front desk of the Administration Building on event day, and contestants must turn in entry forms for both pilot and co-pilot along with the $25 entry fee.
The pilot and co-pilot must each be at least 18 years of age.
The three divisions for prizes are: most original, best looking and fastest. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each division.
All entries must participate in all divisions.
Inspection and judging for most original and best looking will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the entrance of the ice skating rink.
The race will begin at 2:00 p.m. sharp. It will consist of one run over an easy course that may require some maneuvering. Racers must adhere to the course and go through the gate at the finish line. Push starts are all wood, and only two pushers are allowed per team. Pushers will not be allowed to go past the designated “pushing lane.”
After crossing the finish line, the pilot and co-pilot must evacuate the vehicle as soon as possible in order to ensure a safe stop.

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday and Sunday, January 9 and 10
Time: 9:00 a.m. to midnight Saturday/9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Beech Mountain
Cost: Free admission

Beech Mountain’s Winterfest began in 1983, and although it was discontinued for several years, management revived the popular festival last year. This year’s event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, January 9 and 10, and features discounted ice skating all weekend.

“We had a great turnout last year,” said Talia Freeman, director of marketing for Beech Mountain.

“The whole community was really behind it,” Freeman said, adding that she expects a good turnout this year, also.

The first of the Winterfest-related activities is the premiere of Warren Miller’s new movie “Dynasty,” which takes place on Friday, January 8, at Lees-McRae College’s Evans Auditorium, and all Beech Mountain restaurants will feature specials for the duration of the weekend.

Saturday’s activities kick off with the Extreme Sports Consumer Demo from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featuring products from 4frnt, Atomic, Fisher and more. The demo takes place during the same hours on Sunday.

Face painting will take place throughout the weekend. On Saturday, performances by the Mini Mountaineers and High Country Dance Studio in the Beech Tree Bar and Grille, as well as big glove boxing, will be ongoing events.

“You don’t have to ski or snowboard to come up and have a good time,” Freeman said, adding that spectators will have plenty of events to enjoy, and snow tubing and ice skating will be open.

The Nesquik Bathing Beauty Competition—with swimwear-clad contestants on skis competing for a $1,000 cash prize—will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Yankee Pete from Charlotte radio station Kiss 95.1 will be the emcee, and a cookout and live music on the View Haus deck will also take place during this time.

Bathing Beauty registration takes place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the cost is $10.

At 2:00 p.m., the Summit Figure Skating Club from Greensboro will give an exhibition, and club members will be a presence on the ice all day, offering help to skaters who would like pointers, Freeman said.

The Extreme Sports Village Rail Jam, featuring music, a cookout and plenty of prizes and product giveaways, will take place at 4:30 p.m., and the entry fee is $15.

At 6:30 p.m., Standard Films Black Winter snowboarding movie showing will take place at the Beech Tree Bar and Grille, and at 8:00 p.m., live music will begin at the same location.

On Sunday, the Summit Figure Skating Club will give an exhibition at 11:30 a.m., and at 12:30 p.m., the Cardboard Box judging will take place.

The Cardboard Box Derby, which first debuted in 1983 and continues to be a Winterfest highlight, takes place at 2:00 p.m.

The Edge of the World Big Air Competition takes place at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“There really is something for everyone,” Freeman said, adding that both children and adults had fun at last year’s event.

Ray’s Weather is the official sponsor of the event, Freeman said, and the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce is also a sponsor.

For more information, click to www.skibeech.com or call 1-800-438-2093 or 828-387-2011.