Ice cream, slower sales mark end of Winterfest

Six contestants licked their way for bragging rights as Havasu’s fastest ice cream eater Sunday during Winterfest.

The challenge was to eat four scoops of ice cream topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce in the shortest amount of time — without a spoon.

Thirty-five-year-old Daniel Brook, of Havasu, took the top prize of free ice cream for a month at Scoops Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlour, which sponsored the contest.

Brook said he was experiencing some numbness in his tongue following the match but did not get an ice cream headache.

“It was the best ice cream I ever ate,” said fellow competitor 8-year-old Jade Hamilton. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate chip and whip cream were among the flavors she tasted during the contest, she said.

“I am full and now I just want to wash my hands and get the whipped cream out of my nose,” Hamilton said after the contest.

The frozen-treat showdown took place about 11 a.m. Sunday on the Pearl Bailey Memorial Showmobile stage that was set up near Pima Wash on McCulloch Boulevard.

The competitors included 16-year-old Richard Engelbrecht, 10-year-old competitors Austin Cowper and William Endelman, Hamilton and 8-year-old Michael Depuydt.

Despite the fun and games, vendors agreed that Saturday was a busier day for sales than Sunday. They also noted that customers were slower to purchase items when compared to last year.

Phoenix-based BC Sports Art vendor reported one-third fewer patrons this year compared to the past six of seven years. The weather played a role in the crowds Saturday, which was the busiest day, its staff said. They added that BC Sports Art has plans to return to Havasu for next year’s Winterfest.

“There were more people (Saturday) … It was slower than last year,” said Don Schimmel, of Orange, Calif. His booth, Don Schimmel Photography, returned to Winterfest for its second year, and he said he anticipates attending the event next year.

Mail and Business Center vendor Debbie Tyler, of Havasu, said that after six of seven years as a vendor at Winterfest, this might be her last year.

“They need to think about doing this (event) in March when the weather is more predictable,” Tyler said. “It has been either too windy or raining,” she said of her Winterfest vendor experiences.

Branch Earth Trading Company vendor Russell Hoselton, of California, said he also thought Saturday to be the busiest day. It was Hoselton’s third year traveling to Winterfest and the crowds have been “the same” each year, he said.

“There were better crowds yesterday but it was big today, too,” said Texas Twister Fruit Drink vendor Barbara Leach, of Utah. Leach said she is a newcomer to Havasu and Winterfest but the drink booth has been here before. The Utah-based vendor said she has already signed up for next year’s Winterfest.

B&C Gifts vendors Buddy and Carol Conto, of North Carolina, said their sales were down by 25 percent compared to the other years they have come to town for Winterfest. Carol Conto said it was a good crowd and she had expected sales to be down a little because of the economy.

“(Saturday) the weather was iffy and I had to cover everything about three times. (Sunday) was a better day because there was no covering,” she said. This was the vendor’s fourth visit to Havasu for Winterfest and the couple has plans to return next year.

London Bridge Linens vendor/president Gary Hettick said the crowd was “good” this year compared to the past seven years he has set up shop for Winterfest. “It was a good start (Saturday) but the rain spoiled it,” Hettick said. The Havasu businessman’s strategy is a bit different from a typical vendor. “I am not here to sell but rather hand out brochure to let people know there is this resource in Havasu,” he said.

Toritos’ Metal Art vendor said yesterday was the busiest day and compared the event to last year when he described both visits to Havasu as “lots of rain”, he said.

Mohave Community College vendor booth has been at Winterfest for at least 10 years. Booth attendants said Sunday crowds were “very good” and “very busy.”

Linde’s Old World Roasted Almonds vendors Bill and Cherie Wohlford, of California, agreed Saturday to be the busiest of the two days. The weekend event was the second Winterfest vendor experience for the Wohlfords and they said they have plans of returning to Havasu next year with hopes of “the beautiful weather we have heard so much about here,” Cherie Wohlford said with a laugh.

With out having to lift a finger, Havasu’s Dennis Rudin walked away with $2,500 in ticket raffle winnings from the Chamber of Commerce Wintefest.

You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.