Snowmobile Show attracts winter tourism to RC

Even the slight chill in the air Saturday couldn?t put a damper on the third annual Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Show, which was a complete success with more than 170 sleds registered for viewing. ?THE SHOW went very well,? said organizer Dan Derry. ?The snow held up well for us considering the warmer weather we?ve had. The city hauled in a lot of snow for us. It was cooler on Saturday when it was supposed to be warmer, but the display area held up well.?

Derry said 35 snowmobilers turned out for Friday?s trail ride at the 208 Club. There were more than 60 people in attendance to socialize and enjoy the hotdog roast. Seventy-two displayers hauled in 172 antique and vintage snowmobiles on Saturday, which is only three sleds down from last year?s total. Organizers soon found out that snowmobile enthusiasts were determined to get to Rogers City for one of the state?s largest antique and vintage shows ? no matter what. ?We had black ice in the morning, and one couple coming from Davidson got in an accident and totaled their truck getting up here,? said Derry. ?They were okay, but the truck was totaled, and they had some slight damage to their sleds.?

Derry said the couple called him to inform him of their troubles on the road. Jerry Wagner and Dominic Derry (of the snowmobile show committee) drove to where the accident occurred, and brought the couple the rest of the way with enough time to still display their sleds.

THE WATERS Edge Restaurant was open for business throughout the day due to the show, and other businesses in town also benefited from the snowmobile show. Brian Bannasch at the Lighthouse Restaurant said his lunch hour sales were very good with help from snowmobile show participants. Cheryl Kowalski of Karsten?s Dairy said her restaurant also had an increase in sales. ?This was the first time they (the snowmobile show) did not serve food outside, and we ended up making some money,? said Kowalski. ?We were up 18-22 percent in sales, and that?s a lot ? especially this time of the year. We were very happy.? On Saturday evening, the snowmobile show sold 123 dinner tickets for its giant pig roast.

?The pig was roasted, and it was excellent,? said Derry. ?We are going to try and do that again next year.? Many happy winners went home Saturday with wonderful donations made by local businesses for the Chinese Raffle. A mirror that was hand-etched by local artist Steve Witucki was auctioned off for $260. Witucki also created the trophies that were handed out for overall snowmobile sh

ow winners. Best of Show went to Greg McPherson, who displayed his 1972 Rupp 650 Magnum. Best Original Antique went to Mark and Marcia Williams of Gulliver, Michigan for their 1963 Polaris Sno-Traveler/Super-Mountaineer. Best Restored Antique was awarded to Rod Marshall of Bellaire for his 1966 Arctic Cat. Best Original Vintage was given to John McGuirk of Sidney, Ohio for his 1971 Wheel Horse. Best Restored Vintage was awarded to Jerry Barkman from Davidson for a 1973 Polaris Star Fire. The Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Show committee had exactly one day to rest before beginning preparations for next year?s show.

?We?ll have it again the second weekend in March,? said Derry. ?We start planning right away ? we already have a meeting this week.?

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