The Polar Ice Dip, Saturday noon

Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit to the Ice Fishing Derby. No, it’s not to try the hot tubs on display, it’s for the 5th Annual Shaw’s Polar Ice Dip. At noon on Saturday the brave participants will jump into a 4-foot deep hole in the ice of the Point Sebago lagoon on Sebago Lake.

Before the event, jumpers will collect pledges and all proceeds will be donated to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Last year more than 130 brave souls participated. After the jump, insulated heated changing stations will be provided as well as hot chocolate and cider.

For more information or to register early please visit www.mmc.or/mccp, or www.icefishingderby.com.

Ice Shack Contest, all weekend

If you fish, you know it’s a waiting game. Why not wait in style? The annual Ice Shack Contest challenges partakers to build a unique building that can hardly be called a shack.

The 2005 winner built a 60-square-foot “shack” on the ice complete with a heated great room, and running water. “It is not a decorating contest,” said Derby Organizer and Director Tom Noonan. “We look for creativity and functionality.” The prize for such a feat? “Pride, of course,” said Noonan. For those looking for more than pride to celebrate their victory, there will also be trophies awarded.

Got Speed? Sunday 9 a.m.

On Sunday starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., the fastest racers on tracks and wheels will take to the ice for the annual Snowmobile Speed Run. The 1,000-foot track is equipped with infrared timing tools providing the most accurate timing in the Northeast.

For safety, contestants will run the track alone and all times will be recorded for judges to view. The racer with the fastest sled of the day wins $500. If the fastest time of the day breaks the state’s speed record, the winner will get an additional $500. Last year the winner was clocked at 134.2 mph. The state record is said to be much higher. According to Noonan the state record is 163 mph. Trophies will also be awarded in various categories.

Ice Car Race, Friday 6:30 p.m.

Ready for Beech Ridge, Sebago Lake style?

On Friday under the lights at Point Sebago, contestants will drive their vehicles onto the lake for the Ice Car Race. Contestants will navigate a one-third-of-a-mile oval track to fight for the biggest ice-racing purse in Maine: $2000.

“The ice car race is a lot of fun and has a great prize,” said Derby Director Tom Noonan.

Drivers must be 18-years-old and pay a registration fee of $50. For more information and a complete set of rules, please visit www.icefishingderby.com.

Kids Snowshoe Race, Saturday and Sunday

Tubbs Snowshoes will be sponsoring this year’s snowshoe race for kids.

The race will be held twice on Saturday and once on Sunday and snowshoes will be provided to kids of all ages. The race will be held near the ice carvings on a small course designed to ensure kids are having the most fun.

On the course, kids will be asked to grab plastic fish and put them in a bait bucket that they will carry to the finish line. The first one over the line wins. Small prizes will be awarded to winners in all age groups.

Cross Country Race, Sunday 9 a.m.

This year the Kittery Trading Post, Swix, and the Windham Police Department’s D.A.R.E. program are sponsoring the 10k cross country ski race on Sunday at 9 a.m. It will be held on the Point Sebago Golf Course.

The 6.2-mile race will go along the golf course and through trails in Sebago Lake State Park. The winner of the race will take home a check for $500. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. or participants can pre-register online at www.fishingderby.com.

The Ice Mall, all weekend

In what can only be described by Derby Director Tom Noonan as “7,000 square feet of retail heaven,” the ice mall beckons derby attendees.

“If it has to do with the outdoors,” said Noonan “It’s in there.”

The mall is usually a 2,000 square foot tent set up on the ice in the middle of the derby action. This year, however, organizers wanted more.

“The mall is heated,” said Noonan. “Heat means the ice melts and causes the floor to become wet and slippery, that won’t happen this year.”

This year the mall will be set up next to the ice, and will be almost triple in size. The heated market will feature hot tubs, sporting goods, winter wear including handmade alpaca hats, furs, and much more from retailers including, the Kittery Trading Post and Tubbs Snowshoes. All are invited to shop. For more information and a list of retailers please visit www.icefishingderby.com.