The ice man will returneth to Lake Ripple

A familiar figure is returning to the ice on Lake Ripple — just as soon as it freezes solid.

He wears a suit and fedora. He sits in a chair through all weather. And the entire town will be rooting for him to fall through the ice — at least on the date and time closest to their bet.

The Grafton Lions Club is bringing back Ice Out Charlie, a mannequin which remains out on Lake Ripple until the day the ice can no longer support its weight. A timer attached to him marks when he falls in, down to the last second.

“We gave him some time to thaw out,” Lions Club member John Riemer said of Charlie’s absence in recent years. “But it’s time for him to get on the ice again.”

Tickets can be purchased for $5 from Lions Club members or online here to guess the month, day, hour and minute that Charlie hits the water. The winner receives $500. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 15, 2020

Should Lake Ripple fail to freeze up by Feb. 15, the prize will be awarded by a random drawing.