聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 After a year with no snow in 2016, a total of 522 riders were ready to enjoy the 24th annual Arcola Optimist Snowmobile Rally. The event was held on Saturday, Jan. 28, where snowmobile enthusiasts came together to enjoy the trails of the southeast.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 With a fresh dusting of snow in the morning, the trails were prepped for snowmobilers to enjoy the southeast. The beautiful, sunny day was a little bit windy; but, was enjoyed by all out on the trails. People from across the southeast attended either hauling their snowmobiles there, while many were also seen driving their sleds to Prairie Place where breakfast started at 8 a.m. and ran until 11 a.m. The breakfast was served up by the Arcola Fire Department.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Rally registration then took place, with the trails designated for the rally opened at 10 a.m. Snacks and hot chocolate could be found on the trail or lunch and a concession were served in the hall from noon until 4 p.m. While the lottery and rider prize draws were conducted at 5:30 p.m.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Glen Lawson, with the Optimists, explained that approximately $30,000 was raised through the sale of their annual rally lottery, which half of the proceeds go to the Optimists and the other half goes towards different organizations in the community who assisted them in selling the tickets. The annual cheque donation banquet will be held in March.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year up for grabs was a first place prize: your choice of a 2016 Skidoo Backcountry 800 Snowmobile, 2016 Suzuki 750 Quad, or a 2017 Yamaha Golf Cart. This year鈥檚 winner, with the big decision, is Brian Lees of Carlyle. Annette Carriere of Redvers and Ryan Kruyp of Neepawa each won $1,000 for second and third place.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year鈥檚 50/50 draw was won by Blair Karlunchuk of Kisbey.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lawson added that sponsorships this year for rider prizes totaled approximately $33,000; so, riders went away with great prizes.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lawson and Blake Brownridge both exclaimed that the event wouldn鈥檛 be possible without the continued support and sponsorship of the numerous individuals and companies that ensure the event is a success.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 A new feature this year included JJ Trucking鈥檚 Ice Bar, which was set up outside of Prairie Place and enjoyed by many as the day progressed.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淓veryone has been having a good day, just out riding,鈥� Lawson said. 鈥淪ome came in about 3:30 p.m., but decided they鈥檇 go back out for a bit before the day was over. It鈥檚 really been a great day.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lawson added that the Optimists are looking to work on the Arcola play park this year, on the MacMurray Theatre, and will be donating to the waterslide project in Carlyle as well.
