WILLOW CREEK — The 45th annual Ice-Out on Homan’s Pond drew a record 500 entrants this year, making it the first time the competition’s field has reached the half-thousand mark.

The 45th annual Ice-Out on Homan's Pond draws a record 500 entrants, with Ezra Homan entering his 45th consecutive competition — every single one since the event's founding in 1927.
The 45th annual Ice-Out on Homan's Pond draws a record 500 entrants, with Ezra Homan entering his 45th consecutive competition — every single one since the event's founding in 1927.

The prize pool, fed by $1 entry fees, exceeded $500 for the first time. A contestant from Presque Isle won with a prediction of April 11 at 9:47 AM; the ice cleared at 10:03 AM — a margin of sixteen minutes.

But the story of the 45th Ice-Out was not the winner. It was Ezra Homan.

Now 65 years old, Homan entered his 45th consecutive Ice-Out — every one since the competition’s founding in 1927. No other entrant comes close to his streak. The second-longest active streak belongs to Walter Thorne, who has entered 18 times.

Homan finished 23rd this year, his best finish since 1954.

“I’m getting closer,” Homan said, adjusting the buoy line that marks the official observation point. “I can feel it. The pond talks to you after a while. You just have to learn to listen.”

Homan’s prediction methodology is a closely guarded secret, but the Gazette has observed him taking notes at the pond every morning from March 1 until the ice clears. He records water temperature, air temperature, barometric pressure, wind direction, and the depth of snow cover on the ice.

“I have five volumes of notes now,” Homan said. “When I die, Amos gets them. He can do what he wants with them — but I think he knows what they’re worth.”

A contestant from Presque Isle won this year’s first prize of $275. The remaining $275 was distributed to the runners-up and the second-place finishers in five categories. The competition committee — consisting of Maeve O’Donnell, Dale Fournier Sr., and Ezra Homan — reported a smooth competition with no disputes.

“Five hundred people,” Homan said, shaking his head. “When we started, it was twenty-three mill guys passing a hat. I never thought I’d see the day.”

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