People throughout Northeast PA joined officials with the Tobyhanna Ice Harvest as they celebrated the festival's 30th anniversary today.

However, the weather did not cooperate so much this year resulting in no ice to harvest from one Monroe County lake.

“Actually the first year we cut 30 years ago, we had 24 inches of ice on the lake. Ideally we like 12 inches of ice. We cut as little as of 7 inches.

With the mild winter so far this year Tobyhanna Millpond #1 had less than an inch of ice.

“This is a mild winter, so I am enjoying the mild winter. However, it kind of ruins our harvest. “

“Last year was minus 20, winds were howling, and we had over a foot of ice. “

But that did not stop people from coming out to see historic tools used back in the 1900s to originally harvest ice.

“We got a couple gas-powered ice Saul’s that were used back in the early 1900’s. One of them we have been using for quite a few years, and the second one we just started using this year, we hope to try it out this year, but we are not going to be so lucky.”

Back then Bill Leonard says Monroe County was an area that thrived on the ice industry with 19 lakes in the area.

The ice industry in Tobyhanna is still harvested just like it was nearly 100 years ago.

“In addition, to cutting ice, it’s good to get together with friends and family, talk to new people who are interested in the ice industry.”

People gathered today to admire the scenery and equipment, and is hoping that Mother Nature is nice to them next year.

The event is held on the last Saturday in January each year. For more information head over to https://www.cooltownhistorical.org/