Jamie Loson of Don's Polaris was among the local dealers talking 2012 equipment with visitors at last weekend's Snodeo. Photo by Carol Hansen
Laurie Barkauskas, Central Adirondack Association Events Coordinator (CAA), reported that despite the lack of significant snowfall, attendance was great at last weekend’s 35th annual Snodeo.
“There were as many—if not more—people than last year, and we sold more shirts and raffle tickets than the previous year. We were eight shy of selling out our big snowmobile raffle on Sunday. All of our vendors were very happy,” Barkauskas said.
Andea Hollister of Holly Woodworking was among Snodeo's general retail vendors. Photo by Carol Hansen
Don Haehl, first-time chairman of the popular event, was also happy with the turnout.
“I was very pleased with the number of people that were in town and at the actual event itself. And the vendors, both local and from out of town, seemed happy too.
“The numbers were at least what we had in years past, but realistically, the way we were packed in there like sardines, it looks like we could have had a record crowd—despite the economy and the weather,” Haehl said.
Haehl’s only disappointment was the cancellation of the Used Snowmobile Auction due to the lack of a significant amount of sleds for auction.
“We had plenty of buyers, but we just couldn’t pull off the inventory. I’m not going to give up on the idea for next year, we will just come up with a different plan,” he said.
Local snowmobile dealers also had great things to say about this year’s Snodeo.
Jamie Loson of Don’s Polaris in Old Forge reported that he had a busy day at both his store and his booth at the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center, where Snodeo took place.
“We sold a few sleds over the weekend—a couple of used ones and a couple of new ones. And the winner of the big snowmobile raffle chose a Polaris sled, so we’re picking up a sale there too. Considering we didn’t have enough snow for people to ride on, it was a very successful weekend,” Loson said.
Phil Martin of Big Moose Yamaha in Eagle Bay agreed.
“For a relatively snowless Snodeo, it was a busy weekend. We were very busy at our Eagle Bay store and our booth at the pavilion did very well. It was similar to last year, when I think we got 16 inches of snow right before Snodeo. So if we can do the same with no rideable snow, then we have to be happy,” Martin said.
Doug Smith of Smith Marine in Thendara said his business typically hosts an Open House over Snodeo weekend, and he was quite pleased with the activity at the store and at his booth at Snodeo.
He said he hired more staff and more technicians at the shop to handle the volume of sales—and he’s glad he did.
“It was a good weekend for us, and given the snow conditions, we’re more than happy. Our new snowmobile sales are up 20% from this point last year, and that stack of crates out front is getting smaller and smaller by the day,” Smith said.
The local dealers hosted parties Saturday night at area restaurants that were also very well attended.
Big highlights of Snodeo are the raffles for a youth snowmobile and a 2012 sled of choice by a lucky ticket holder.
The winner of the Polaris Pro-R youth snowmobile was Len Melillo of Burlington, NY who held ticket #351.
The grand prize winner of the 2012 snowmobile was Arthur Andre of Rio Grande, NJ, holder of ticket #595, who chose a Polaris 600 Rush.
Winners of cash prizes were: 2nd prize of $1,000 – Brian Murphy of Old Forge; 3rd prize of $500 – Joan Marks of Thendara; 4th prize of $300 – Richard Lutz of Inlet; 5th prize of $100 – Barbara Dippold of St. Mary’s, PA; and 6th prize of $100 – Bruce Saville of Arsyle.
The CAA expressed thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket. The funds raised helps the organization to present Snodeo and other events throughout the year.
