Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Snowmobile Ride-In Set For Sunday





Event Will Once Again Feature 'Taste Of Chautauqua Trails'

By Nicholas L. Dean ndean@post-journal.com





STOCKTON - The ride-in scheduled for Sunday by the snowmobile clubs of Chautauqua County is just a way of saying thanks, according to Ray Head, ride-in chairman.
An annual event, the ride-in will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Chautauqua County Fireman's Grounds in Stockton - at junction CH108 of trails C4 and C4B.
''This is not a fundraiser, so we don't collect any money,'' Head said of the open event. ''This is just a way to say 'thanks' to the people who support our clubs and come in here to Chautauqua County to ride. It's just an event to come in and enjoy some camaraderie, that's all there is to it.''
As in past years, the event will feature free hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate, coffee and other items. For the second year now, the ride-in will also include ''A Taste of Chautauqua Trails'' - a food offering which features dishes from restaurants along the county's trails. According to Head, restaurants everywhere from Pine Junction in Findley Lake to The Trillium Lodge in Cherry Creek will be participating in ''A Taste of Chautauqua Trails.''
''With a winter like we're having right now, the economic impact from snowmobilers is pretty astronomical,'' Head said of the winter sport's effect on area businesses. ''The event is open to the clubs themselves and anybody who is riding in our area. A lot of the attendance is by people from Ohio and Pennsylvania who belong to our clubs now.''
As a ride-in, Head said the annual event understandably only happens in years when the weather cooperates. However, in its history, Head said the event has only ever been totally canceled once. Though last year's ride-in was canceled on the day of the event, it was re-scheduled and held later in the season. In addition to those who choose to ride their snowmobiles to the event, the Chautauqua County Fireman's Grounds can will also be open to vehicle traffic. Signs will be placed on both the trail and the roadways to direct individuals to the site.
According to Head, trail groomers will be on hand to give individuals an up-close look at how the county's trails are maintained.
''We expect quite a turnout for it if the weather is decent,'' Head said. ''Senator Cathy Young will be there and so will County Executive Greg Edwards, who is riding in.''
The annual ride-in is sponsored by the snowmobile clubs of Chautauqua County, which includes: the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club, the Cherry Creek Snow-Goers, the Ellery Sno-Cruisers, the Lake Effect Trail Breakers and the Sunset Drifters.



For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

No comments: