It's a tradition that started over 40 years ago but wasn't opened up to the public until 1988. Since then, the Northeast Kingdom and thousands of people from around the world have kept a close eye on Joe's Pond. As the spring months progress, they watch the ice melt, waiting and hoping that they'll be taking home thousands of dollars from a random guess... This year, Ash Desmond of Richmond, Vermont as the lucky winner taking home the largest pot for a single winner in the 22 year history of the Ice Out at Joe's Pond. That chunk of change... a hefty $4,965.