ARCOLA - The Arcola Optimist Club's Snowmobile Rally is only weeks away and the club is looking forward to several snow days before hand.
This will be the 31st annual rally and it is not the first time that snow, or lack there of, could cause less-than perfect trails.
Normally an average of 300 or more riders come out to enjoy the day, but at one time they had 500, which was an exceptional year.
Geordan Workman is once again the chairman, and it will be his third year in the role, and he said there is a big committee that puts this on.
Meetings began last September, as there is a great deal of preparation for this large event.
Each year, tickets are sold on three large prizes and this year the prize vouchers will be through Schrader's Motors in Yorkton.
Four companies are used on rotation for the grand prizes and these four dealerships carry either Polaris, Yamaha, Arctic Cat or Ski-Doo machines or products.
The rally is always held the last Saturday of January, which is the 27th this year.
Registration to ride in the rally will take place that morning at Arcola's Prairie Place Complex. Once registered, people can hit the trails.
Most snowmobilers will ride 80-100 kilometres of the trails and then return to the complex. Along the trails there will be places to stop.
The complex will remain open for those who wish to socialize and have something to drink or eat while warming up if a deep freeze should happen.
If for some reason the trails are not in ideal condition for snowmobiling, the Optimist Club will have events at the complex.
Many people come from far away on this day to meet up with those they met previous years.
They will have a 50/50 draw online only, with the chance to win big. Tickets must be purchased on or by Jan. 27.
The trails are looking surprisingly good, and the club hopes that more snow falls before the rally.
The Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club takes care of the 440 kilometres of trails and is a nonprofit organization. Their largest donation came from the Arcola Optimist Club in 2023 through funds made from the rally.
Workman said several people just come for the social, and it is open for all to enjoy.
