Snow just in time for 51st Snowfest

Howard County -  Mother Nature sure likes to make some people sweat . . . not because of the heat but for lack of snow. Luckily she opened her arms and dropped 4-5 inches of snow on the area this past week,with a 30% chance of more on Friday night . . . just in time for the Snowfest celebration.

For the most part, this winter season has been brown instead of white, which has made members of Driftrunners Snowmobile Club a little anxious. 

No need to worry — their prayers and wishes have come true. Snow for Snowfest. Although the event can be held without snow, it’s much more fun with the white stuff!

Driftrunners President Zach Gooder said, “We are looking forward to our 51st Annual Snowfest, and we are looking to build off of our record year last year.  Raffling off two brand new snowmobiles and two brand new trailers was a big event, as well as having our torchlite parade down Main Street, which had a great turnout. 

“We have been focusing on adding events to our weekend that are not weather-related to keep our activity level high regardless of snow conditions and to encourage the public to be involved in our club.

“Featured events this year will entail the Boy Scouts Breakfast, Vintage Sled Show, 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff, Legion Bingo, Friday Night Rib Dinner, Saturday Torchlight Parade and a DJ to follow. All events will be held at the Howard County Fairgrounds.

“If conditions allow, we will have our Vokaty Early Bird Ride, Ladies Ride, Vintage Sled Ride, Ride Iowa Ride, Evening Trail Rides and our Poker Run.”

The full schedule of events includes:

Thursday

• Vokaty Special Early Bird Ride (10 a.m., Sweeney’s Lounge, Cresco)

• Start of the 50/50 Fun Run for Spina Bifida (Cards purchased for $10 — turn in by 1 p.m. at Fireman’s Inn at Ridgeway on Sunday)

• Scavenger Hunt Begins — Participants should find unique spots on the Driftrunners Trail System. Post them to Facebook for a chance to win prizes.

• Evening Club Trail Ride (6:30 p.m., The Pub, Cresco)

Friday

• Ladies Trail Ride (10 a.m., Sweeney’s)

• Snowfest Dinner — Dine-In or To Go (5-7 p.m., Expo Center, Cresco)

• Evening Club Ride (6:30 p.m., Driftrunners Clubhouse)

Saturday

• Raffle and Silent Auction (All Day, Expo Center)

• Boy Scout Breakfast (6:30-11 a.m., Expo)

• Scavenger Hunt Turn In (7 a.m.-9 p.m., Expo)

• Vintage Sled Show (9 a.m.-noon, Fairgrounds)

• Iowa State Snowmobile Association [ISSA} Club Ride (10 a.m., Expo)

• Chili Cook-Off (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Expo)

• Food (11 a.m.-closing, Expo)

• Bingo by American Legion Post 135 (noon-4 p.m., Expo

• Vintage Sled Ride to Vernon Springs (1 p.m., Expo)

• Torchlight Parade to Vernon Springs (6:30 p.m., line up east of Expo; leave at 7 p.m., Fairgrounds)

• Bonfire (7:30 p.m., Fairgrounds) 

• Snowball Dance featuring Elite DJs (8 p.m.-midnight, Expo)

Sunday

• Brunch/Fun Run Card Turn-In (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Fireman’s Inn)

• Recovery Run (After Brunch, Fireman’s Inn)

Raffle/Silent Auction

Committee members do a great job on getting donations and purchasing great items to be raffled off. This year, look for a 36” Pit Boss Griddle, Yamaha generator, Milwaukee chainsaw package, Grizzly cooler package, big screen TVs, meat package and many, many more. 

The silent auction can receive bids all afternoon. Both the silent auction and raffle close at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

 

Driftrunners today

Plaht said, “Right now we have 113 members; this is the most in the state for any club. Driftrunners has had the most members in the state for the last two years, which is a very good accomplishment. We usually get more memberships during Snowfest from outside visitors, as well as many locals. 

“Purchasing a membership is a good way to not only support Driftrunners, but you are supporting the Iowa State Snowmobile Association, trail signage, groomer upkeep and maintenance and trail repairs such as bridges. “

Getting ready for Snowfest

To groom the full trail system with one pass, it can take up to 30 hours. The club has a dedicated team of groomer operators who take pride in maintaining the trails. 

Operators will groom anywhere up to 8-10 hours at a time and then swap out with someone else to keep the groomer going. 

President Gooder summed up the event, “Hosting our annual Snowfest has the ability to provide significant economic stimulus to Howard and Winneshiek Counties, and we are proud to be able to support our community with our efforts. 

“We encourage everyone to come and see what we have to offer, snowmobiliers or not, as we look forward to this year's Snowfest. The majority of our proceeds are donated back into the community’s charitable organizations.”