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Myrnam River Ridge Riders Host Antique Snowmobile Show & Shine
Myrnam River Ridge Riders Host Antique Snowmobile Show & Shine
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
An estimated crowd of 140 people were on hand to enjoy the 22nd annual Antique Snowmobile Show & Shine on Feb. 18.
The event, hosted by the Myrnam River Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, featured 74 vintage snowmobiles as well as a 1963 Trail-a-sled snow plane courtesy of Tofield collector Jerry Kallal. The two seater with a 125 HP Lycoming can travel up to 100 miles per hour!
Many of the entrants had been riding and collecting snowmobiles for many years, such as 82-year-old Kinsella area resident Glen Wood, who specifically purchased a 1976 Motoski Futura to bring to the show and shine.
Brothers Jason Carnell and Jordan Carnell hail from Fort Saskatchewan and agree that the Myrnam Antique Snowmobile Show & Shine is the best in all of Alberta. Jason brought his 1971 Motoski Zephyr that he recently purchased in original condition from a friend of his brother’s. All that was needed was a good cleaning as it had been stored in a barn for the past 40 years.
John Fedoriuk brought his 50-year-old Artic Cat Lynx I. Fedoriuk is the second owner of the snowmobile and said the only thing he has done was to repaint the hood as it’s in excellent shape overall.
Daryll Worobec Memorial Trophy was presented to Ironman Lawrence Omelian. Myrnam River Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club President Addam Saruk said the trophy is presented to the oldest entrant with the oldest sled that was Omelian who is 82-years-old and drove his 1967 Artic Cat Panther. The key to winning the trophy is to be able to complete the 18 mile trail ride without being towed. While Omelian went through a couple of drive belts, he managed to “limp along” his sled to the staging area near the arena in late afternoon.
First, second and third place trophies were handed out to People’s Choice Winners which included: Jesse Axley, Darren Yaceyko and Noah Jacula respectively.
Saruk is one of the founding members of the club that began operating in 2001. He has served as President since 2004. The Myrnam River Ridge Riders is one of 33 snowmobile clubs in the province. “Normally we host an annual rally,” said Saruk, but lack of snow prevented that from happening this winter. However, he was pleased with the turn out for the show and shine and said the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
Over the years the club has built 165 kilometres of trail and by next fall, Saruk said they hope to reach 205 kilometres of trail connecting Myrnam, Derwent and Mannville areas. Members have also built four cabins to date were able to purchase a new trail groomer. This year they are planning to construct a clubhouse and shop in the Village of Myrnam.
