GRAY – On Saturday, Jan. 26, Crystal Lake in Gray is the place to be for ice fishing, polar plunging, and all kinds of wintertime fun.

The fourth annual Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby starts at 6 a.m. and continues through 2 p.m. Besides having a good time on the ice, thousands of dollars worth of prizes are available, says event organizer Glen Mercier, of the Liberty Family Foundation, the derby’s main sponsor.

“The prize purse is pretty significant this year, and that’s thanks to our sponsors,” Mercier said.

Major sponsors include L.L. Bean, Kittery Trading Post, Poland Spring, Oxford Casino, Hannaford supermarkets, and the Liberty Family Foundation.

To contain the crowds, which in good years can overwhelm the small lake, there are few changes this year. All-ages derby ticket sales are capped at 1,700 and kid’s derby tickets are limited to the first 1,000 entrants. Go online to crystallakederby.com to register or check the ticket locations list for stores where they are being sold.

Another change this year will be a $5 fee charged for parking, with proceeds going toward the event’s major beneficiaries: the USO, Department of Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and Patriot Parents, the parent-teacher organization for the Gray-New Gloucester school system.

But those who pay the $5 in parking will get it back in spades. According to Mercier, “when you park you get a $5 coupon for Oxford Casino. And you get a 20 percent coupon for Dick’s Sporting Goods, basically it’s $10 on a purchase of $50 or more. And all of the money collected for parking goes to charity.”

The Crystal Lake event is the biggest derby in Maine that directly benefits the military. The USO, which provides entertainment to the troops overseas and helps out families states-side, is the event’s main charity. Also, recruiters and others from branches of the service will be on hand during the derby. A military flyover takes place at noon.

While there is a healthy number of cash prizes and gift certificates for those who land the biggest fish, the grand prize is a $50,000 Ford F-150 Raptor provided by Casco Bay Ford.

According to Mercier, the truck is part of a “High Five” game that fishermen and others can take part in. Entrants need to sign up at the Casco Bay Ford tent at the derby from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No purchase or derby entry ticket is necessary.

Mercier said the contest consists of 40 envelopes and four prizes. First place is the truck; second is $10,000; third is $5,000 and last prize is $500 cash and a $500 gift certificate to Casco Bay Ford. Mercier said the lucky entrant picks among the 40 available envelopes until they match five of the same prize.

“So each envelope has a different prize in it, and you keep picking until you have those five matches,” Mercier said. “And whoever plays the game will win at least $1,000. So this is a different promotion than we had last year, which was kind of convoluted and which nobody won. But someone is guaranteed to win and go away with a smile on their face.”

Prices are $10 for any-age tickets and $5 for the kid’s derby, which is sponsored by Kittery Trading Post. The first 200 children age 12 and under get an ice fishing trap. Other ice fishing equipment will be available during the day. Volunteers with Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs, sponsored by Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, will be on hand to help kids who have never fished before.

Crystal Lake is usually busy on derby day, even in poor conditions. Last year’s event drew 2,500-3,000 fishermen as well as those showing up for the related activities, “and that was way down from previous years. But the 2012 event was delayed and folks had a fear of thin ice,” Mercier said.

Another big draw is the third annual Patriot Polar Plunge to benefit the Patriot Parents PTO. Check-in is at 1:30 p.m. and Plunge at 2 p.m. The plunge takes place at Camp Gregory near the main entrance off North Raymond Road.

Altogether, the extensive prize pool, fun events such as a Polar Plunge and helicopter rides, and the relatively inexpensive ticket price of $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under play a part in the event’s popularity.

“It’s definitely a growing event, and we have great sponsors that help us out,” Mercier said.

More information and registration details is available at crystallakederby.com.

Crystal Lake DerbyAmong the many contests at the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby in Gray the Kittery Trading Post-sponsored Kid’s Derby.   
Among the many contests at the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby in Gray are the ice shanty contest.