Around 200 snowmobile riders are in Nipawin this weekend for the 2023 Provincial Snowmobile Festival.
“We’ve had fresh snow the last couple nights, and our trails are all groomed and ready to go,” said Brenda Lehmann, co chair of the event.
While it’s an annual event, the festival took a pause during the pandemic, and Lehmann said it’s nice to have it back.
“People are ready to get out and do something,” said Lehmann, “and we do have nice trails in the northeast…we have the luxury of having quite a few trails through the bush, which a lot of people from down south do like.”
The event includes a pub night Friday night, a pancake breakfast Saturday morning, and a banquet and dance Saturday evening.
She said the main point is for people to get together and have fun.
“It’s becoming quite a recreational sport…families do it and for all ages, and then you do find a lot of people coming up year after year,” said Lehmann.
She said there are various awards planned, but it is not a very competitive event.
“It’s not really a competition, it is a celebration really of sledding and bringing all of us together.”
While March might seem late in the season, Lehmann said it’s actually a good time.
“In the past two years snow conditions have been really good into March,” she said. “In fact that’s been some of the better riding.”
And she added temperatures are usually better in March.
“You can tell from any rally when it’s a really cold forecast, you don’t get people…if they’re going to spent the money, they like a comfortable ride,” she said.
Events in Nipawin are being held at the Everygreen Centre.
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doug.lett@pattisonmedia.com
Twitter: @DougLettSK
