THE OL’ KLUNKER. A beloved Menomonie tradition, the “Car on the Ice” fundraiser for the Menomonie Lions Club, is back. (Photo via Facebook)

After a year without enough ice to support it, the old racer has reappeared on Lake Menomin to kick off the Menomonie Lions Club’s “Car on the Ice” fundraiser. Participants are again taking part in this longstanding tradition of 65 years by making guesses about when the car will break through the ice – marking the start of spring in full swing and the fundraiser’s conclusion. 

When the ice thickens in January, Lions Club volunteers push the Klunker out on the frozen lake – sometimes with the help of a four-wheeler if there’s heavy snow. The community is invited to then predict the day that the car will completely sink beneath the ice for the chance at a cash prize. Tickets are available now until March 1 for $5 each, three for $10, or 10 for $20.

The club aims to raise about $10,000, with proceeds supporting the Game Park, local scholarships, senior assistance programs, and various community events like Menomonie’s annual Easter egg hunt, which typically draws about 1,000 children each year. Not only is the Klunker contest a community favorite, but it also plays an integral part in supporting the Lions Club’s mission of service.

“At the end, we have the winners come to a meeting and we give out the checks,” Lions Club Chairman Steve Schutte said. “That’s the most fun for me.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Menomonie Lions Club through their website menomonielions.org or find them on Facebook.