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A LOOK BACK: Folks battle it out playing winter games at the 1982 East Shore Deepfreeze

TAYLOR INMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 6 months AGO
by TAYLOR INMAN
REPORTER AND PODCAST HOST Taylor Inman covers Bigfork and the north shore of Flathead Lake for the Bigfork Eagle and the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on local government, community issues and the people who shape life in Northwest Montana. Inman began her journalism career at Murray State University’s public radio newsroom and later reported for WKMS, where her work aired on National Public Radio. In addition to reporting, she hosts and contributes to Daily Inter Lake podcasts including News Now. Her work connects listeners and readers with the stories shaping communities across the Flathead Valley. IMPACT: Taylor’s work expands local journalism through both traditional reporting and digital storytelling. | February 8, 2022 11:00 PM

A look back...people young and old seemed to have a blast at the first annual East Shore Deepfreeze, or Winter Jamboree, in 1982— which was hosted by the East Shore Business Association.

Billed as a family-oriented event, they featured several activities geared towards children. This included inner tube races, snowball throwing competitions, and a "Bi-Icecycle Race," where kids would race across an ice covered lot on "children's moto-cross bicycles." There were card games and races for adults as well, including barstool races, foot races, and "ski joring," which was said to involve a series of competitions— most notably a jump in which the contestants were towed on their skis by a horse.

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Collin Martin and Dan Mangnall catch some air during the inner tube races that took place behind Del's Drive In on February 14, 1982. (L.D. Gross/Bigfork Eagle)

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Allan Fergus rides for the Windjammer Bar during the Barstool Races on February 13, 1982. He ended up winning 2nd place in the non-steerable category. (L.D. Gross/Bigfork Eagle)

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