The second annual Vintage Show & Shine hosted by the Prince George Snowmobile Club is set for Sunday, Jan. 26, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Anything 20 years and older is considered vintage and last year Forest Power Sports brought a sled from the early 70s that event coordinator Katherine Sewell said was something to see.
“They pulled it down from their display and put it in the lineup and it was totally awesome,” Sewell said.
The local club started hosting their Vintage Show & Shine after Sewell and her husband attended McBride’s Annual Bung Bung Vintage Ride and she thought a smaller version in Prince George might hold some appeal.
About 150 people attended their first event last year and the hope is more people will come out to this one.
“It poured rain last year the night before so I think it deterred a lot of people from coming out,” Sewell said.
“We had set up a little racetrack for the kids last year and volunteers had spray painted lines to designate the area and when it rained the night before it turned it into a skating rink. So a lot of people came out to get a feel for what the event was so I hope this year it’s going to be an even bigger event and I’m hoping the weather will cooperate.”
The clubhouse at 12000 Scott Road has full amenities including a full commercial kitchen so during the event a concession will be available provided by the Buckhorn Recreation Commission.
“This is all volunteer-based so it’s really nice when we get support,” Sewell said.
There’s a 10-member board and about 194 members of the Prince George Snowmobile Club right now.
During the event there’s a vintage ride on the Schlitt trail that is a loop that takes about 45 minutes to do.
“We have a groomer that makes the trails all nice and smooth so the old machines don’t have to work so hard,” Sewell said. “It’s nice for the kids, too, who are on the 120s that do the loop and that’s the smallest machine you can buy. It’s a nice little ride and if you want you can come out and do it, too.”
The Show & Shine is at noon with awards and prizes given out at 4 p.m.
Categories include best vintage sled, best vintage mountain mod, and mod is short for modified, which means the sled has been changed from its original stock version, Sewell explained.
“I have a custom tunnel and you can put different handlebars on, different skis, there’s all kinds of things you can do to trick them out and make them look different – you can even have a different engine,” Sewell said.
There’s even a prize for best vintage mountain attire so everyone can join in the fun.
During the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there is a firepit and social so people can chat and there’s a 50/50 draw, too.
“We’re all pretty avid snowmobilers and we’re just doing our best to encourage community awareness and involvement,” Sewell said.
“We invite everyone to come out for the event. We’ve got dealers coming out and the Clubhouse is open and it’s warm and you can grab a hot chocolate. We’ve even had seniors come out because everyone is always looking for things to do in Prince George.”
For more information visit www.facebook.com/PGSnowmobileClub.
