• The ice at Sylvia Lake goes out anywhere from mid-March to the end of May.
• The earliest date as March 12, 1973.
• The latest date -- May 1, 1971.
• In 2004, the Ice Went Out on April 13.

According to Andy Dickson, the ice is out when "you can swim from one side of the lake to the other, if you are so inclined." (haha)

Gary Jones, who has traditionally been the Judge, defines it as "when you can go for a boat ride. Generally it's pretty obvious when the majority of the ice breaks up creating a large area of open water."

Sonny Goodison says, "Sometimes when the ice goes out or in, it becomes what they call honey-combed. The ice appears OK but with some wind it just kind of tinkles and is gone. I've found out also that it mixes good with Scotch."

Sylvia Lake's Gary Jones (the Official Judge) made the final call. April 10, 2005

The Judge

1. Judy Butz
2. Harold Gotham (won the mug)
3. Marilyn LaPierre
4. Mary Jo Whalen

Click here to see how the winner was selected.