WILTON — Hollandstrong Community Foundation’s ninth annual ice fishing derby is slated to take place on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Wilson Lake in Wilton. Registration for the event is scheduled from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it promises big prizes through catching fish and raffle tickets.

Registration is $5 per person and can be purchased on the day of the event or online in advance at www.hollandstrong.org on the store page. Raffle tickets may also be purchased online or at Robin’s Bait Shop.

All proceeds for the event will go to the Hollandstrong Community Foundation, which uses the funds to provide resources to the communities of RSU 9, MSAD 52, and RSU 73 in the name of Michael Holland.

Holland, a lifelong resident of Maine and standout athlete in both football and baseball at Jay High School, was tragically lost at sea aboard the SS El Faro when the ship sank off the coast of the Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin on October 1, 2015. Since then, Holland’s family has establish a scholarship fund as well as the foundation with the intent of honoring his legacy.

There is some doubt cast over the event in terms of the quality of ice for the day. Deb Roberts, event organizer and Holland’s mother, told the Livermore Falls Advertiser they would make the final call on Wednesday.

“Normally you would see a bunch of ice shacks on Wilson Lake by now,” she said. “They are starting to pop up now on the outside. No one has gone out to the center yet.”

Roberts has been providing updates on the event through their Facebook page, writing on Saturday, Jan. 13, “the big question once again this year is whether or not we will have enough ice by derby day – at this point we are moving forward with planning as though we will. With that said, however, we are constantly monitoring ice conditions and will make a final decision based on the ice conditions on [Wednesday, Jan. 24].”

Roberts followed up the post on Wednesday, Jan. 17, by posting that Wilton had seen five consecutive days of temperatures below freezing.

The event has over 40 sponsors, featuring Ambition Brewing, Androscoggin Bank, Calzolaio Pasta Co., Hannaford, Livermore Concrete, RB’s Meats, Shelley’s Hometown Market, Steve’s Family Market and many more.

Comfort Inn and Suites in Wilton are also sponsoring the event by offering a discount on rooms for the derby by calling the hotel directly at [207] 645-5155. Roberts encourages those booking a room for the event to mention the derby and 20% discount will be applied to reservations.

Hollandstrong also thanks Robin’s Bait Shop, who donated a cash prize for a drawing at the event. Every registrant at the event is automatically entered and does not need to participate in the derby to qualify for the cash prize.

Robin’s Bait Shop will also be hosting special hours for the derby, with the shop open on Friday, Jan. 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday morning from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.

First prize for adults is $1,500 and is sponsored by Maine Maritime Academy Alumni. In total, prizes for the event come to $3,500 for adults [16 and over] and youth [15 and under].

Hollandstrong also gives special thanks to their premium sponsors True Educator Insurance: A Horace Mann Agency, Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy, Maine Maritime Academy, JBRH Excavation, and Otis Federal Credit Union.

For more updates on the event as it draws closer, follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hollandstrongfishingderby

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