Rangeley’s 27th annual snowmobile weekend, Snodeo, kicks off Thursday. The three-day event will offer an array of events for snowmobilers and nonsnowmobilers alike.

“(Snodeo) will be packed full”, said Mike Koob, vice president of the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club. “A lot of people who don’t even snowmobile go to these events. It draws everybody.”

A chili and chowder cook-off begin the weekend at 5:30 p.m. Thursday . There is also a casino night, snowmobile demonstration rides, an auction, trivia rides, vintage and modern snowmobile races, children’s activities, a closing parade, and fireworks.

A new set of snowmobile races brought to Snodeo by Rock Maple Racing Cross County will be held at this year’s events. Koob said preregistration for the races is already drawing a large number of participants.

The event will feature both modern and vintage sled races, with a one-third-mile oval pro-vintage track and a 5-mile closed country-terrain circuit. Organizers are encouraging riders to pre-register for these races. Those interested can register in person from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday or online.

Gates open for the Rock Maple Racing Cross Country races at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Rangeley airport.

Advertisement

Other snowmobile runs on Saturday include a radar run and a trivia ride. Koob said the races are open to all classes.

Thursday’s chili and chowder cook-off kicks off the weekend at 5:30 p.m. at Bald Mountain Camps. Also on Thursday, a casino night will be held at the Gingerbread House at 7 p.m.

Friday’s events will start at 4 p.m. with the Welcome to Snodeo party at Moose Alley, which will feature door prizes and a raffle. A live auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Moose Alley.

Snodeo will wrap up, weather permitting, with a parade and fireworks Saturday night. At 6 p.m. Monty the Moose will lead a snowmobile parade from the Rangeley Inn to Town and Lake Motel. Following the parade, a fireworks display will be seen from Lakeside Park.

All of Snodeo’s events permit snowmobile access. The Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club has been preparing the area’s trails since December. Club members have been grooming the snow on the trails since Jan. 10, Koob said.

Proceeds from Snodeo events help support the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club.

Lauren Abbate — 861-9252

labbate@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @Lauren_M_Abbate


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.