By Carla Kolbe

Express Editor

MAYFIELD - The first community winter carnival was held on Mayfield Lake this weekend.

The Mayfield Community Group, along with the Southern Adirondack Snow-mobile Club, local businesses and with the cooperation of the village of Mayfield, decided to create an event bringing spectators and outdoor enthusiasts to the village, and to introduce the splendor of Mayfield Lake.

The carnival began with a big splash Saturday morning, as Mayfield Junior/Senior High School principal Rob Husain, accompanied by more than a dozen brave students Mayor Jamie Ward, jumped into a hole cut in the ice of  Mayfield Lake.

“I have been wanting to do a polar plunge, and meant to go in last year in Lake George, but had surgery,” said Husain. “When I heard about the winter carnival I offered to organize the plunge.

“The water was shockingly cold, but the worst part was standing around in literally freezing sneakers afterward,” he added.

Scheduled to follow were the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club Ice Racers, but were unable to attend due to the possibility of unstable ice for the many vehicles their contest brings.

Sunday morning, a youth ice fishing contest was held from 6 a.m. to noon with prizes for every child in the event. Master of ceremonies Lou Stutzke of Mayfield’s Fuel-N-Food was present to observe the tournament and award prizes collected by the community group and from his own business.

A vintage snowmobile show also took place at Power House Motor Sports. Prizes and trophies were awarded for entries.

Lakeside at 10 a.m., a ladies only, cast iron frying pan throwing contest took place, with Linda Kessler of Mayfield claiming first place with a 38-foot toss.

The next contest was a snow-box derby for the kids. Kids with their specially decorated cardboard boxes lined the lakeside hill and their snow-boxes were judged on creative appearance and performance.

Kevin Chaffe of the Mayfield Grill set up in a heated tent with chili, hot dogs, cocoa and beverages.

Noting how so much was learned from this first event, coordinators Steve VanAllen, Lorrie Valk, Carl Edwards, and Joan Bezio are anxious to plan the next one, and have many more ideas for additional events.

“This winter carnival will only grow from here,” said VanAllen. The Mayfield Community Group will be planning more lakeside events throughout the year.