The Millers Mills annual - when the weather cooperates - Ice Harvest is set for Sunday, Feb. 9.
Area residents honor a long-standing tradition established around 1875 when farmers needed ice year-round to keep their milk from spoiling.
Although electricity arrived in 1941 to the Town of Columbia hamlet, people keep the tradition alive, using the same tools and techniques their forefathers used a century ago.
The Millers Mills Grange sponsors the event, which requires ice thick enough to cut out of the pond and snow enough to carry the sleigh and equipment.
The harvest begins at 11 a.m. and continues until the icehouse is full in mid-afternoon. Visitors are encouraged to participate in cutting the ice if a minimum 8-inch ice depth is met for safety.
Cedarville Fire Department and Ambulance crew will be on location.
Draft horses haul the ice from the Millers Mills Pond to the icehouse a short distance away.
Packed in sawdust and snow, the ice blocks last well into the following summer.
The empty sleighs provide spectator rides back to the pond.
Visitors to the Grange Hall can purchase chili, hot dogs, donuts and hot chocolate at the cash concession.
The Community Church by the icehouse will have an abbreviated warm menu too.
To be sure weather doesn’t cancel the event go to www.millersmillsny.com to check out the status of the Ice Harvest.
コメント