Old Forge to host weekend events for sled enthusiasts
The 35th Annual Snodeo will kick off the snowmobile season in Old Forge on Friday, December 9 and will continue through Sunday, December 11. The George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center will open its doors on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and continue Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The weekend event will feature the four major manufacturers (Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha) as well as their 2012 snowmobiles, gear and accessories. Demo rides will be available, weather permitting, from Ski-Doo and Yamaha.
The pavilion will be filled with snowmobile related vendors including Sledfreak, Camoplast and Mack Studs and also will feature a wide variety of other booths to entice the holiday shopper. Along with over 25 vendors, Snodeo will offer food and beverages provided by the North Woods Women’s Club, music, and door prize give-a-ways throughout the weekend.
At noon on Saturday, the ever-popular Kitty-Cat and 120cc Youth Snowmobile Races will take place behind the pavilion. Registration will begin at 10 a.m.
Children of all ages are welcome to attend as long as they are old enough to drive the sled themselves and their knees are not touching the handlebars. Safety gear, such as helmets and boots are required.
Trophies, courtesy of the Old Forge Camping Resort, will be given out during the award ceremony at approximately 4 p.m. Following the awards, the drawing for the 120cc Polaris Pro-R youth snowmobile raffle will take place.
Tickets are only $5 for a chance at a youth sled valued at $3,000 and will be available throughout the day.
Also on Saturday will be the debut of the Used Snowmobile Auction, led by June DeLair of Constableville Auction Hall. The auction will take place at 1 p.m. in an exterior tent beside the pavilion with a preview beginning at 11 a.m.
This event is open to the public and individuals are encouraged to register snowmobiles they wish to sell in advance at the Old Forge Visitor Info Center or at the pavilion on either Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Registration is $20 per sled with a $40 fee for reserves. All sleds to be auctioned off must be on the premise by 10 a.m. Snowmobiles must be accompanied by statement of ownership and/or title, or a transferable NYS registration. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. Personal checks will be accepted as well with ownership of sled taking place after the check clearing process.
A 10 percent buyers premium will apply, 13 percent for credit cards.
Big Frog 104 will also be on site Saturday morning with a live remote broadcast, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. for photo-ops.
The Vintage Snowmobile Show will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the pavilion for your viewing pleasure.
At approximately 5 p.m., a spectacular fireworks display will take to the skies above North St.
And if that’s not enough for one day, snowmobile dealership parties will be taking place throughout town: Arctic Cat at the North Woods Inn, Polaris at GiGi’s Bar & Grill, Ski-Doo at Daiker’s Inne, and Yamaha at Van Aukens Inne. On Sunday, December 11, Snodeo will open its doors again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 1 p.m. the annual snowmobile raffle drawing will take place.
Tickets are $20 and will be on sale all weekend at the pavilion. The first place winner will have their choice of one of four brand new sleds: 2012 Arctic Cat FSLXR with $500 cash back from Big Moose Arctic Cat; a 2012 SKI Doo GSX LE 600 E-TEC from Smith Marine; a 2012 Polaris 600 Rush with electric start from Don’s Polaris; or a 2011 Yamaha Phazer RXT with $500 cash back from Big Moose Yamaha.
The second place prize is $1,000 cash, third prize is $500 cash, fourth prize is $300 cash and the fifth and sixth place winners will receive $100 cash. You must be present to win the cash prizes but need not be present to win the snowmobile.
The Herkimer County Department of Motor Vehicles will be open special hours at their Park Avenue location for Snodeo weekend on Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. They will be closed for lunch from noon to 1p.m.
The Inlet Barnstormers Snowmobile Club will be sponsoring a NYS Certified Youth Safety Course on Saturday, December 10. Pre-registration is required.
To register call instructors Sandy or Ron Nihill at (315) 357- 5233.
For more information please visit: www.snodeo.com or call (315) 369-6983.
Snodeo is a Central Adirondack Association event.
