2007 Easter Seals Ride-in
Features Fireworks and Torchlight Parade on Snow-Filled Main Street
Reciprocity with VT Allows NH Riders to Ride Certain
Trails in VT on Feb. 2-3.
by Melissa Grima
Coos County Democrat
January 24th, 2007
LANCASTER — There's snow on the ground and the temps have
been beyond chilly and that is good news for Lancaster as the town gears up to
host the annual Easter Seals Ride-In for the second consecutive year, on Feb.
2-4. The charity fundraiser is held by the NH Snowmobile Association and
benefits the Easter Seals' Camp Snomo in Gilmanton.
Trails are open and tracked, but could certainly use more snow to make riding
pleasant, said Keith Kopp, President of the Lancaster Snow Drifters. Six to 12
inches of the fluffy white stuff between now and the Ride-In weekend would be
ideal to make this year's activities a total success.
The events this year will be the same as in 2006, but Mr. Kopp has his personal
list of must-sees for locals this year to get out and mingle with the tourists.
Topping his list is the fireworks display at 8 p.m. on Friday evening.
The display will launch from area behind the Cabot Motor Inn and is designed by
Atlas PyroVision Productions of Jaffrey. "Those are kind of a must see," Mr.
Kopp said.
Other spectacles include the snowmobile parade on Saturday morning and
the torchlight parade on Saturday night. The parade route will travel
down Lancaster's Main Street with many snowmobiles traveling along a snowy
swath that will be laid out by the town along the southbound side of the
street. The morning parade kicks off at 9 a.m. from the Cabot and travels
through the downtown area and then returns to the Cabot prior to the rest of the
day's activities.
The evening parade leading up to the bonfire will provide a visual delight for
spectators. Mr. Kopp said the parade route along Main Street will be lined with
lit candle bags as the riders travel along equipped with individual lights,
starting at 5:30 p.m. The trail groomers will also be included in this year's
torchlight parade, Mr. Kopp said. The evening parade route ends in Centennial
Park, where the fire department will light a bonfire at 7 p.m.
Those looking for faster paced fun should check out the radar run. That
event will take place on the field behind Munce's on Bridge Street. "That's some
pretty good entertainment," Mr. Kopp said. An antique snowmobile display will
also be set up at that site. Mr. Kopp also said that anyone is welcome to visit
the Snow Drifters during the events at their club house on Route 3, or their
booth at the Cabot.
These are just a few of the goings-on around town that weekend that will draw
tourists from all over New Hampshire and neighboring states. The event is the
culmination of a year's fundraising and allows all of the state's clubs to
gather and present Easter Seals with one large check.
Individual donations are also accepted and checks can be made out to the NHSA
with Easter Seals in the memo line.
2007 Easter Seals Ride-In Schedule
Friday, February 2
2 p.m. — Lancaster Snow Drifters Guided Rides. Tour local trails or choose a
tour into Vermont. Information at club booth.
4 to 9 p.m. — Steak Feed Tickets on Sale. Jefferson's Waumbek Methna Snowmobile
Club will be holding their famous annual steak feed on Saturday from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m. Tickets must be picked up and paid for on Friday. Ride or drive. The
event is held at their clubhouse on Route 2 in Jefferson. Adults $12, hamburger
plate for children $5.
5 to 7 p.m. — Free "Snowmobilers spaghetti dinner" in the Banquet room sponsored
by The Common Man Restaurants.
6:30 to 8 p.m. — Opening ceremonies. Expanded event. Don't miss it!
8 to 8:30 p.m. — Fireworks at Cabot conference room B.
8:30 to 11:30 p.m. — Kids Room at Cabot conference room B.
9 to 11 p.m. — Comedy Night with Frank Santos Jr. and Larry Myles in the Banquet
Room, sponsored by Dalton Mountain Motor Sports. Admission is $10 and limited to
300 people.
Saturday, February 3
7 to 9 a.m. — Breakfast Buffet sponsored by Dalton Mountain Motor Sports in the
Banquet Room. Obtain tickets at entrance. Banquet will be served until 9 a.m.
Breakfast (non-sponsored) may be ordered off menu in Dining Hall until 10:30
a.m.
9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. — Club and individual registrations. Donation table and
Banquet room open with free refreshments available.
9 a.m. — Penny sale and Silent Auction opens.
9 a.m. — Parade leaves Cabot, tours downtown area and returns.
10 a.m. — Antique Snowmobile Display at Munce's field on Bridge Street (Route 2)
located off the Vermont access trail.
10 a.m. — Lancaster Snow Drifters Guided Rides. Tour local trails or choose a
tour into Vermont. Information at the club booth.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Radar Run at Munce's field on Bridge Street. $5 per run or 3
runs for $10. Prizes will be awarded.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Kids slalom and water ball toss games at the Cabot. Meet
behind the Cabot Motor Inn for some frolic and fun in the snow. Bring your mini
or full-size sleds for snowmobile obstacle course and water ball toss game.
Prizes will be awarded.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Steak feed sponsored by the Jefferson's Waumbek Methna
Snowmobile Club, at the clubhouse on Rte. 2 in Jefferson.
2 p.m. — Penny sale drawing and Auction begins.
4 p.m. — Donation table closes for the weekend. Donations must be in at 4 p.m.
to qualify for awards and prizes. No coins accepted. Paper money and checks
only.
4 p.m. — Union Leader award forms due. Oldest rider, youngest rider, etc.
5:15 p.m. — Torchlight Parade assembles at the Cabot. Parade will leave promptly
at 5:30 p.m.
5 to 8:30 p.m. — Chicken pie supper, made by the best cooks in town, at the
Lancaster Methodist Church on Main Street (across the street from the bonfire)
from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults $7.50, children under 12 $3.75, under three are free.
Includes meal, dessert and drink. Ride, drive or take the bus.
7 p.m. — Bonfire at Centennial Park sponsored by Lancaster Fire Department.
Pre-register for bus at hospitality room.
8:30 to 11:30 p.m. — Kids Room at Cabot conference room B.
9 p.m. — Presentation of Union Leader Awards.
9 p.m. to 12 — Dance and Thirsty Dawgs in the Banquet Room sponsored by Dalton
Mountain Motor Sports. $5 for dance, $5 for trinket, a requirement for bidding
on the bone.
First Student buses available at specified times. See schedule in hospitality
room and area hotels.
Sunday, February 4
No donations accepted on Sunday
7 to 9 a.m. — Breakfast Buffet at Cabot Motor Inn Main Dining Hall. Adults
$7.95+tax, children $3.95+tax.
9:30 a.m. — Awards and Closing Ceremonies to be held in the Banquet Room.