RANGELEY – For the 26th year, Rangeley will become the snowmobile capital of the world when the Rangeley Lake Snowmobile Club hosts its annual three-day Snodeo later this week.
Events include radar runs, poker runs, sled runs in general, lots of activities for the whole family, a parade and-weather permitting-fireworks Saturday night. Local businesses are once again sponsoring everything from demo rides to the popular Rave X show.
On Thursday, a chili chowder cook-off will be held at the Bald Mountain Camps starting at 6 p.m. Casino Night, hosted by the Gingerbread Restaurant in Oquossoc Village, will be held from 6 to 10 a.m.
From 4 to 9 p.m., the Friday Welcome Party and live auction will be held at the Rangeley Inn for the second year in a row as will all events on Saturday, said Nick Pathiakis, the snowmobile club’s secretary. All radar runs will take place behind the inn on Haley Pond.
The snowmobile parade led by Monty the Moose will travel on Main Street from the Rangeley Inn to the Town & Lake Motel. Fireworks will be launched from the Rangeley town cove as soon as the parade finishes. This year, organizers plan to use fireworks that have lower trajectories so they will be less prone to wind cancellations.
Although Sunday night’s rain was an unpleasant surprise, the area’s 150 miles of trails the club maintains remain snow-covered, flat and well groomed, Pathiakis said. “We just want the cold weather to continue so we can keep the trails groomed.” Clear, cold weather is in the forecast.
“We’re hoping people will come on up and enjoy it,” he said.
Schedule of events:
Thursday, Jan. 22
6 pm Chili-Chowder Cook-off at Bald Mountain Camps
7 pm Casino Night at the Gingerbread House
Friday, Jan. 23
Manufacture Demo Rides at Participating Dealers (See participating dealers for times)
4 pm – 9 pm: Welcome To Snodeo at the Rangeley Inn. With door prizes, 50/50 Raffel and Pull Tickets Available
6:30 pm: RLSC Live Auction Featuring Auctioneer Larry Koob at the Rangeley Inn
9 pm: Lucky 50 /50 ticket drawn
Saturday, Jan. 24
Snodeo Headquarters – The Rangeley Inn
8:30 am – Noon Radar Run Registration at Rangeley Inn
9:30 am – 1 pm Radar Run – All Classes Haley Pond (Last run at 12:45) NOTE: All snowmobiles participating in the Radar Run MUST have a functional tether switch or throttle override
8:30 am – 3 pm Poker Run Rangeley & Oquossoc (Be back by 3:00)
8:30 am – noon Poker Run Registration Rangeley Inn. Prizes; 1st Place $100, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50
9 am – 3 pm Displays & Vendors at Rangeley Inn. Manufacture Demo Rides at Participating Dealers
See Participating Dealers for Times
10 am – 3 pm Family Marshmallow Roast at Field Headquarters. Compliments of RLSC and SnowSource
10 am – 2 pm Hands-on Children’s Activities Table at the Masonic Hall across from BMC Diner. Compliments of the Wilhelm Reich Museum Discovery Room
10 am – 2 pm Helicopter Scenic Flights Haley Pond
10:30 am – 1 pm Making of Gingerbread Men; activities for children Gingerbread House
1 pm – 2:30 pm Monty The Moose, Snodeo Mascot at Field Headquarters
2 pm Rave X Show at Boss Power Equipment, Main Street
4 pm Awards Ceremony & Raffle Drawing at Rangeley Inn
5:30 pm parade line-up at Rangeley Inn
6 pm Snowmobile Parade from Rangeley Inn to Town & Lake Motel where float trophies will be awarded (conditions permitting). Following parade fireworks display by Atlas at Lakeside Park (weather permitting).
Dinners and entertainment at local establishments in the evening.
