Local Vintage Snowmobile Show slated for Saturday

by Beth Kraft

Now in its third year, the Mondovi-Gilmanton Sno-Blazers’ Vintage Snowmobile Show continues to grow with plans to add live music to its event lineup, set to feature a wide variety of vintage sleds, dog sled rides, various raffles, and food and beverages.

This year’s show will once again return to the grounds of DPR Enterprises, located at W559 U.S. Highway 10 about a half-mile east of Mondovi, this Saturday, Jan. 10, beginning at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Sno-Blazers member and event promoter Dave Green said last year’s show went “really well” with good weather and plenty of snow on the ground, allowing a large number of show attendees the opportunity to ride to the event via area snowmobile trails.

Over 100 sleds made the trip for last year’s show—about double the number that attended the show’s first run in 2013.

“I don’t think it’s realistic to think we’re going to double attendance again, but we are hoping to continue to increase,” Green said.

Organizers are hoping to see about 125 sleds at the 2015 event to showcase Wisconsin’s rich snowmobile heritage with sleds from the 1950s to the present.

“We want to encourage all makes and models of sleds to come,” said Green.

In addition to the opportunity to check out a variety of vintage snowmobiles up close, Saturday’s Snow Show will offer up nearly $900 in cash prizes through raffle drawings as well as the grand prize raffle of a 1977 Sno Jet 340 SST show sled. Tickets for the grand prize drawing are available for purchase, three for $5, with the winner drawn the day of the event.

All snowmobile enthusiasts are invited to bring their sleds, vintage or new, to the event for judging in various categories beginning at 1 p.m. A trail ride is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m., though the direction and length of the ride are still TBA pending snow conditions that afternoon.

Live music by “The Classics” will be provided following the awards ceremony. Food, pop and beer will be available for sale inside the heated tent throughout the show.

Dog sled rides will also be offered by Howard Thompson of the neighboring Sno-Trek Sled Dog Adventures with all proceeds going toward a cash drive on behalf of the Mondovi Area Food Pantry.

In accordance with past practices, a portion of the proceeds from the Snow Show will be donated to a variety of local causes, set to include the Mondovi Women’s Business Network’s holiday light fund and post prom at area high schools in addition to the local food pantry.

Green said the annual show is a great way for the local club to give back to the area community and promote safe snowmobiling. Casting the sport, which can sometimes earn a bad rap, in a positive light with family-friendly activities and cultivating an interest in local snowmobile club happenings are also among the show’s primary goals.

“All of the clubs in the area are growing,” Green said. “I think the popularity of the sport is coming back with the economy getting better.”

However, in order for snowmobiling to really gain traction as a go-to winter sport, riders need one key ingredient—snow.

Although the Mondovi area received a few inches of fresh snow over the weekend, at press time the state’s only open snowmobile trail systems were located in northern Wisconsin as current snow depths have been deemed inadequate for opening any local trails thus far.

Green said Snow Show organizers were hoping to receive a good coating of snow prior to this weekend’s show, acknowledging that last year’s increased attendance was likely assisted by favorable snow conditions.

Weather forecasts were calling for plenty of cold weather this week, but not much in the way of snow between now and this weekend’s show.

Regardless of snow conditions, snowmobiles will be judged in the following categories:

• Original (1974 or older, 1975-1985)

• Restored (1974 or older, 1975-1985)

• Open Class (1986-2000, 2001 and newer)

• Cutter and “Rat Sled” (super customized)

A prize will also be given for the best vintage-dressed person at the snowmobile event.

Spectators at the show will once again have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favorite sled to select a winner of the People’s Choice award.

Snowmobiles can be entered for judging at a cost of $5 per sled with a $10 maximum entry.

For more information about the Vintage Snowmobile Show, please visit the Buffalo County Snowmobile Association website at http://snowbc.org or check out the club’s Facebook page.