Snowmobilers preparing for Snowarama 2020

Jesse Bonello - Staff Writer

Snowmobilers in Sioux Lookout, and throughout the region, are preparing for the annual Sioux Lookout – Hudson, Red Lake Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids ride, which will take place Jan. 25.
The annual fundraising ride will start at the Ojibway Power Toboggan Association Clubhouse located on 108 Abram Lake Road. Registration will begin at 7:00 a.m. with the group looking to begin their ride around 8:30. Riders will be following the “A” Trail to Pizza Hut in Dryden where they will enjoy a buffet lunch before heading back.
Last year’s Snowarama was scheduled to go to Pizza Hut in Dryden and back but, due to extreme cold weather, had a last minute switch up that shortened the route. Despite the weather, last year’s ride featured 38 riders.
“The last five or six years the rider count has been pretty steady around 50. Last year, which was a cold year, we still ended up with 38 riders who came on the ride, so around 50 is usually the norm,” said organizer Mike Starratt.
Starratt said last year’s ride raised $12,636 for Easter Seals Kids, which surpassed the previous year’s total of $12,602.
According to www.snowarama.org, “Snowmobilers from across Ontario are revving up their engines for the annual Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids events taking place across Ontario…Taking place on OFSC trails, Snowarama challenges winter enthusiasts in communities all over Ontario to raise donations for Easter Seals. Whipper Billy Watson originally conceived the event in 1975 and so far OFSC clubs have helped raise more than $16.3 million in over 20 communities. Donations to Snowarama directly assist financing for vital mobility equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and communication devices and summer camp. Easter Seals owns and operates two fully accessible camp properties and is recognized as an industry leader in providing specialized camping experiences for kids with physical disabilities.”
Starratt said Snowarama welcomes riders that travel from across the region, including Winnipeg.
“We have people that come from Dryden to ride with us back over to Dryden. We have representatives from Red Lake… We get a little bit of Northwestern Ontario involved. I usually have some people from Winnipeg show up. They’re old Hudson residents from way back that make the trip down for it… We have a Ski-Doo dealer, Arctic Cat dealer, Polaris dealer, Lac Seul Police Service, and McKinstry Chrysler coming along,” he said.
Starratt said he always looks forward to the opportunity to snowmobile, socialize, and support a good cause during Snowarama.
“Every year I look forward to it. It’s always an adventure. There’s always something new, or something has changed, along the trail and way… I’m always excited for it. I love snowmobiling,” he said.
Anyone who would like to support the cause can go online and pledge at www.snowarama.org. Registration is available at the same link.
Anyone who would like more information about this year’s Sioux Lookout – Hudson, Red Lake Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids, or who would like to support the event, can contact Starratt at 807-737-4777.