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   Hackensack’s annual winter festival “Back to Hack” begins Thursday with winter fun, contests, prizes and entertainment. Four days of events will conclude at the Birchwood Char House on Sunday.

Thursday

   At 8 a.m., the first clue for the Medallion hunt will be released on the Hackensack Visitors Center Facebook page. A meat raffle will be held at the American Legion at 6 p.m.

Friday

   The Medallion Hunt’s second clue will be released at 8 a.m. At 2 p.m. Rendezvous Brewing will release “Jump in the Lake” a Hackensack Pale Ale beer brewed specially for Back to Hack. Return to Rendezvous Brewing for Trivia at 6 p.m. “Kick Off Back to Hack” Music Bingo and Let’s Make a Deal beginning at 7 p.m. at Birchwood Char House. Enjoy live music at the Hackensack American Legion from 7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday

  The third clue for the Medallion hunt will be released at 8 a.m.

  Sign up for the Frost Bite Your Fanny 2.5k Fun Run/Walk at 10:00 a.m. Register at the Visitor’s Center, pay your registration fee and freeze your fanny! Run/walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Start and finish will be at the Lucette statue.  

   From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. a family ice fishing contest will be held on Birch Lake. Register for on the lake - out from the public landing near Lucette. Several prizes will be awarded for youth and adult winners!

   Hackensack American Legion Post 202 will host a chili feed Saturday at noon at the Post.  

   The fourth annual Walley Birchwinkel Snow Golf Challenge will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. sponsored by Birch Lake Assn. (BLA) and Rendezvous Brewing. Purchase three balls for $5, a portion of the entry fee will be donated to BLA with remaining split between the top three closest to the pin/hole in one. All participants have a chance at prizes.

   The Hackensack Legion Auxiliary will be hosting a bake sale at the Legion club beginning at noon. Also at noon, the fourth clue for the Medallion Hunt will be released (if needed).

   The Penguin Plunge into Birch Lake will begin at 1 p.m. Registration begins at Rendezvous Brewing at noon, all teams must register by 1 p.m. and be in costume. A registration fee is required and donations are encouraged. All proceeds benefit Cass County charities.  

   From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., there will be a kid’s coloring contest at the Visitor’s Center.

   Running from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. you can cuddle and smooch with pets from Paws + Claws at Faith in Action.

   Rendezvous Brewing will host the awards ceremony at 3 p.m. for the Penguin Plunge and golf challenge winners.

   By this time you may be building an appetite - head over to the Fire Hall for a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. hosted by the Hackensack Fire and Rescue Department.

   Warm up by the bonfire in City Park near the pavilion at 5:30 p.m.  and enjoy the warmth and free hot dogs and hot chocolate and stick around for the fabulous fireworks display over Birch Lake at 6 p.m. Following the fireworks show, at 7 p.m., electronic horse and pig racing will be held at the Legion.

Sunday

   Rise and shine for an American Legion Auxiliary breakfast at the Legion from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Menu includes choice of biscuits and gravy with eggs or eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and toast. Both include juice and coffee for $8. The proceeds go to support youth scholarships.

   After breakfast, the “Back to Hack - It’s a Wrap” raffle drawing followed by Bargo will take place at Birchwood Char House & Bar at 12:30 p.m. 

   Don’t forget to purchase your raffle tickets at participating businesses throughout Hackensack. Prizes include: $1,000, $500 and $100 cash prizes. Tickets are $10 each and only 300 tickets will be sold. A lucky winner will be drawn for a second 50/50 cash raffle with the winner walking away with half the pot. Winners need not be present to win.

   Back to Hack is sponsored by the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses. Outdoor events are subject change.

   If you have not taken the opportunity to see what Back to Hack has to offer for winter fun, don’t miss this chance!

   For more information contact the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce at (218) 675-6135.

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