(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Weekend of Sledding

Melfort to host 2020 Provincial Snowmobile Festival

Dec 29, 2019 | 3:00 PM

The Melfort and District Trail Riders (MDTR) will stage the 2020 Provincial Snowmobile Festival in Melfort in the new year.

The event will host riders from all over the province on Feb. 28 and 29.

MDTR President Doug Armstrong told northeastNOW it is a huge opportunity for them to host the event for the third time.

“It helps us fund our trails, our equipment, it’s a good fundraiser for everything we do. It allows us to purchase equipment,” he explained. “It’s a big part of what we do.”

Every year the festival is put up for bid and Melfort was the winner.

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“I think the committee looks at facilities [and] what the community has to offer to the people that come,” he said.

The event will have over 250 snowmobile aficionados attending the festival from all over Saskatchewan.

“That’s kind of the focus of it to get likeminded people all gathered in one spot and have some entertainment and some fellowship,” Armstrong said. “You don’t have to be an expert; if it’s your first time you’re more than welcome. It’s a good chance to meet people who like this sport.”

He added the Friday evening of the event will feature registration, a meet and greet at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort, as well as supper and entertainment. Saddles and Steel out of Yorkton will be putting on a Family Feud style game show.

“We’re hoping to get clubs playing against each other,” he added

Saturday there will be a breakfast, guided trail rides, followed by lunch and in the evening, there will be a banquet and dance. There will be a live band performing there called Kings and Renegades. On top of the trail ride there will also be time for a Dignitary Ride and there will even be awards.

Armstrong said even if you’re not a snowmobile enthusiast he encourages everyone to buy tickets for the banquet and dance.

The weekend passes for $100 include the Friday night supper, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and the banquet.

The MDTR hosted the festival in 2010 and in 2014 where they had over 270 attend each year.

“We had good feedback from people from all over the province,” he said. “They liked the facility; they liked the community because we have all the amenities of a small city. It was very positive.”

More info and registration details are are at the Sask Snow website.

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12