Humans figured out how to fly planes before they discovered how to create a machine to drive over snow.
Five years after the Wright Brothers took their first flight in 1903 the first vehicle was created in Maine to move over snow, according to Northern Timber Cruisers, a Maine snowmobile club.
This weekend, 99 years after the Lombard log hauler traveled over snow, about 500 sleds will travel to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Jordan, to celebrate the Great Eastern Whiteout.
The Whiteout commemorates the history of snowmobiling with antique and vintage snowmobiles but celebrates its modernity with sled races Saturday.
Hosted by the Weedsport Winter Wanderers, the event will kick-off with a dinner reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at DeVaney's Riverside on Route 34, Weedsport, for out-of-town guests.
Eric Melfi, show coordinator, said visitors come from all over the East Coast including New England, New Jersey, Ohio Valley and from as far away as Michigan, Wisconsin and the eastern provinces of Canada.
Seven years ago the event began at the Oswego Fairgrounds with 80 sleds. Last year, the event moved to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park because the event now attracts about 500 sleds and 4,000 visitors.
Saturday a full day of snowmobile celebration begins at 8 a.m. when the raceway opens its gates. Visitors can attend the antique and vintage snowmobile shows or watch the many races scheduled throughout the day.
“We have a full menu of races starting with stock sleds and semi-professional and professional races,” Melfi said.
Last year the non-profit event raised more than $3,500 which was given to a variety of organizations.
This year Melfi plans to continue giving the money to the children's hospital in Syracuse, Cayuga/Onondaga BOCES and a variety of local fire departments.
“I've been involved since this event's inception. I only get to see some of these people once a year,” Melfi said. “It's also a great way to make some charitable contributions.”
Sunday visitors have the opportunity to participate in a vintage ride permitted by the state and local law enforcement.
The ride will leave Owen Orchards, adjacent to the raceway, at 9 a.m. Participants are asked to register for the ride around 8 a.m. The ride will start at the orchard and end at the Jordan Diner where participants can eat brunch and then will return back.
Melfi recommends that every snowmobiler attend the event.
“It's the nostalgia of it, the history of snowmobiling,” Melfi said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or
kristina.martino@lee.net
If you go
What: Great
Eastern Whiteout
Friday night:
The Great Eastern Warm-Up
When: 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: DeVaney's Riverside Grill, Route 34, Weedsport
Saturday:
Great Eastern Whiteout
When: 8 a.m.
registration
Where: Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Route 5, Elbridge
Sunday:
Antiques and
Vintage Trail Ride
When: Ride leaves 9 a.m., registration at 8 a.m.
Where: Owen Orchards to Jordan Diner
This weekend, 99 years after the Lombard log hauler traveled over snow, about 500 sleds will travel to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Jordan, to celebrate the Great Eastern Whiteout.
The Whiteout commemorates the history of snowmobiling with antique and vintage snowmobiles but celebrates its modernity with sled races Saturday.
Hosted by the Weedsport Winter Wanderers, the event will kick-off with a dinner reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at DeVaney's Riverside on Route 34, Weedsport, for out-of-town guests.
Eric Melfi, show coordinator, said visitors come from all over the East Coast including New England, New Jersey, Ohio Valley and from as far away as Michigan, Wisconsin and the eastern provinces of Canada.
Seven years ago the event began at the Oswego Fairgrounds with 80 sleds. Last year, the event moved to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park because the event now attracts about 500 sleds and 4,000 visitors.
Saturday a full day of snowmobile celebration begins at 8 a.m. when the raceway opens its gates. Visitors can attend the antique and vintage snowmobile shows or watch the many races scheduled throughout the day.
“We have a full menu of races starting with stock sleds and semi-professional and professional races,” Melfi said.
Last year the non-profit event raised more than $3,500 which was given to a variety of organizations.
This year Melfi plans to continue giving the money to the children's hospital in Syracuse, Cayuga/Onondaga BOCES and a variety of local fire departments.
“I've been involved since this event's inception. I only get to see some of these people once a year,” Melfi said. “It's also a great way to make some charitable contributions.”
Sunday visitors have the opportunity to participate in a vintage ride permitted by the state and local law enforcement.
The ride will leave Owen Orchards, adjacent to the raceway, at 9 a.m. Participants are asked to register for the ride around 8 a.m. The ride will start at the orchard and end at the Jordan Diner where participants can eat brunch and then will return back.
Melfi recommends that every snowmobiler attend the event.
“It's the nostalgia of it, the history of snowmobiling,” Melfi said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or
kristina.martino@lee.net
If you go
What: Great
Eastern Whiteout
Friday night:
The Great Eastern Warm-Up
When: 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: DeVaney's Riverside Grill, Route 34, Weedsport
Saturday:
Great Eastern Whiteout
When: 8 a.m.
registration
Where: Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Route 5, Elbridge
Sunday:
Antiques and
Vintage Trail Ride
When: Ride leaves 9 a.m., registration at 8 a.m.
Where: Owen Orchards to Jordan Diner
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