Golden Tickets, Feather Fencing Featured at Fudge Fest

At left: Patricia and Larry Crowder of Grand Blanc found a winning ticket in their fudge box.

The Golden Ticket contest and Feather Fencing challenge took center stage at this year’s Fudge Festival, with five people winning Island stays and a defending feather title holder losing in the final round.

Just over an hour after the Festival began Saturday, August 27, Eduardo Vilaro of Chicago and Mexico City won the first golden ticket at Joann's Fudge. Five golden tickets were hidden in five boxes at five fudge shops participating in the event. The winner of the ticket receives a three-night stay on Mackinac Island for four people.

At right: During the final 30-second match on the grounds of Inn at Stonecliff, Islander Bruce LaPine became the feather fencing champion, beating reigning title holder Michele Uher of Grand Rapids during the second annual Fudge Festival last weekend.

Also buying fudge with the winning ticket were Patricia Crowder of Grand Blanc, who won at Ryba’s Fudge, Greg Vandusen of St. Ignace at Murray’s Fudge, Lawrence Moats of Traverse City at May’s Candy Shops, and Freya Bonter of North Port at Murdick’s Fudge.

Last year’s feather fencing winner, Michele Uher of Grand Rapids, lost two out of three matches in the final round to Islander Bruce LaPine Sunday, August 28.

First to find a golden ticket in a box of fudge was Eduardo Vilaro of Chicago and Mexico City (left), shown here with a friend. The five ticket winners receive a three-night stay on the Island for four people.

Ten matches were held before the finals, with women against women and men against men. The champion of each faced-off in the final round. This year, rules were added to the event that took place at the Inn at Stonecliffe. Feather masks were worn by all competitors and one hand had to be held behind the back during the match, as in real fencing, though hands could be alternated. Bending was allowed only at the waist, swearing was not tolerated, and points were given only when the feather sword touched the opponent’s stomach.

Islander Cathy Andress kept track of the 30-second time limit per match and spectators were enlisted as judges to count the hits to the stomach and make sure rules were followed.

Vic Price, the housing manager at St. Cloud’s Place made the feather masks.