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For those who have embraced the sport of snowmobiling as a way to shake those winter blues, the Arcola Optimist Club annual Snowmobile Rally has finally arrived.

For the 18th year running, the Optimists will be hosting their annual Snowmobile Rally on Saturday, Jan. 29.

Running a circuit of more than 100 km, the day long ride promises a wonderful experience for people.

With large portions of the circuit running through Moose Mountain Provincial Park, rolling hills, thick woods, and wildlife brings riders in touch with nature like no other rally can.

"You never really know what the weather will be like," said Glen Lawson, an Optimist member and organizer of the rally. "But if things keep up like they have been I think this will be a great year for the ride, and the trails will be just perfect for snowmobiling."

Besides the gorgeous selection of trails the rally runs over, another key to the success of the Arcola rally is the effort organizers put into making the rally a full-day event.

All are welcome to attend the kick-off breakfast, which is held at the Prairie Place Complex in Arcola, and is served between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Once the rally is completed for the day, an evening dinner will be served for rally riders, friends, and the general public as well between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Prairie Place Complex as well.

Also, a dance will take place between 9:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. at the Prairie Place Complex.

Playing the dance will be the Winnipeg-based rock-n'-roll cover band 'Bad Dog!'

Made up of lead vocalist Paul Radey, guitarist Brad Badiuk, bassist Jim Collins, and percussionist Todd Suggitt, Bad Dog has been performing tours for the five years they have been together.

"We play a wide variety of music when we are on stage," said Collins. "What we play specifically at each gig depends though. We try to tailor the selections to the crowd."

"This will be our second year performing at the Arcola snowmobile rally, and we are happy to be playing there again," Collins said. "The crowd there is great, and the people seem to have a real good time partying at the dance."

Tickets for the dance are $15.

Besides the breakfast and dinner, a free hot lunch is provided at the mid-point of the trail for rally participants.

More than $8,000 in door prizes are available to be won by rally participants.

"We're looking forward to a really great year," Lawson said of the upcoming rally. "This year, the Optimist Club is planning on using the proceeds generated by the rally to replace playground equipment in Arcola."

"So far it's building up to be a really promising year," Lawson concluded. "We have snow, we have mild temperatures, and we are working hard to make sure that everyone who comes out will have a time to remember."

The Arcola Optimist Snowmobile Rally will begin registering participants at the Prairie Place Complex in Arcola on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m.

The rally, which is scheduled to run until 4 p.m. requires that all snowmobiles and riders registered to take part in the event be fully licensed.