In 2019, Erie Arts & Culture and the Presque Isle Partnership developed a collaborative fundraiser modeled after an Alaskan tradition that’s occurred annually since 1917. Unfortunately, winter conditions in 2019 and 2020 didn’t prove favorable for the fundraiser and plans sat on ice until 2021. With formal permission received from the Erie Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, the two non-profit organizations will finally have an opportunity to test the merits of the innovative fundraiser to determine if it has what it takes to become an annual tradition for the region.
Called the Great Lake Ice Break, an approximately 12’ sculpture designed by artist David Seitzinger and fabricated by Gene Davis Sales and Service will be placed on the ice of the East Canal Basin of Presque Isle Bay. For the past two years, the sculpture has sat outside the Bayfront Sheraton awaiting the appropriate winter conditions. Bartlett Signs and Lake Shore Towing are assisting the non-profit organizations with the logistics of safely placing the sculpture on the ice. The sculpture is slated to be installed on Monday, March 1, 2021.
Once the sculpture is in place, the public can visit gliberie.com between Monday, March 1 and Saturday, March 12, 2021 to place predictions as to when the ice will break and the sculpture will plunge into the water. Each entry is $5.00 and participants must indicate the month, day, and time they predict the ice will give way. The participant, or participants, who have the correct prediction will win 50% of the pot, with the remaining 50% benefiting the operations of Erie Arts & Culture and Presque Isle Partnership.
The public is encouraged to visit the East Canal Basin once the sculpture is in place. A pedestrian dock is accessible from the sidewalk along State Street. From the dock, the public can see the Great Lake Ice Break sculpture. If posting photos of the sculpture on social media, the public is encouraged to use #gliberie2021 or #greatlakeicebreak.
Alaska’s Nena Ice Classic is similarly a 50/50 fundraiser. The annual jackpot for the 49th state’s event is a six-figure number.
Early bird special:
Place your donation before March 6 and receive 2 entries per $5 donated.
