Nenana Ice Classic facts for kids
The Nenana Ice Classic is a super cool yearly contest held in Nenana, Alaska. People try to guess the exact moment the ice on the Tanana River will break up. It's like a big guessing game! You can buy tickets from February 1st to April 5th each year all over Alaska. The Nenana Ice Classic is a non-profit group, which means it helps many volunteer and other non-profit organizations with the money it raises.
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A Long History of Guessing
The Ice Classic started way back in 1906. It was a simple ice betting game with just six people. The very first winner was Oliver Lee. He guessed closest to when the Tanana River ice would break. He won enough for "a couple of rounds" at the local trading post bar.
The game stopped for a bit, but then railroad workers brought it back in 1916. They sold tickets at Jimmy Duke's Roadhouse. At first, only people living in Nenana could play. But soon, news of the game spread along the railroad. By 1917, people from all over Alaska and the Yukon territories could join in the fun!
Growing Prizes Over Time
In 1917, railroad engineers bet $801 on when the ice would break. The prize money has grown a lot since then! In 2009, the prize for the 93rd annual contest was $283,723. By 2014, the jackpot reached a record $363,627. Since the Classic began in 1906, over 10 million dollars in prize money has been given away!
The Famous Tripod
The "tripod" is a special structure used in the contest. Even though it's called a tripod, it actually has four supports! It is placed on the river ice between the highway and railroad bridges in Nenana. It sits about 300 feet from the shore.
How the Tripod Works
The tripod is connected to a clock. This clock stops when the ice breaks up and moves the tripod with it. The Nenana Ice Classic annual festival is when the tripod is put onto the frozen Tanana River. The parts of the tripod are built and painted before the festival. Local wood is used, and community members help out.
Setting Up the Tripod
First, a chainsaw is used to cut a groove into the river ice. The ice is usually about three feet thick at that time of year. The bottom of the tripod is then lowered into this groove. Next, a special tool called an auger drills a hole deeper into the ice. This lets river water come up and fill the groove. The water then freezes, holding the tripod firmly to the river.
The Big Moment
During the festival, the community gathers together. They use ropes attached to the tripod's upright parts. Everyone works together to lift these parts into place. Once they are up, the uprights are secured to each other. A line is then attached to the top of the tripod. One end of this line is anchored, and the other end goes to the Ice Classic tower on the riverbank. Inside the tower, this line is connected to a clock. When the ice breaks and moves the tripod about 100 feet, the line snaps. This stops the clock, and the official breakup time is recorded!
River Ice Measurements
The Tanana River at Nenana usually freezes between October and November. By April 1st, the ice often reaches its thickest point, which is about 41 inches (104 centimeters) on average. After that, the ice starts to melt. It melts from the top because of warmer weather. It also melts from the bottom due to the movement of the river water.
