Mother Nature has finally delivered the much needed SNOW for East Jordan’s 41st Annual Sno-Blast Winter Festival set for Saturday and Sunday, February 19th and 20th. The festival offers activities and events for all ages to enjoy. You don’t need to have a snowmobile to participate in many of the activities. The popular Sno-Sculpture Contest with this year’s theme “Fun and Games” allows families, clubs, classes and individuals a chance to get outside and create works of show art! The top three winners will receive cash prizes. This annual event is sponsored by South Arm Café. For those individuals who prefer to stay inside and admire the snow through the window the Coloring Contests for adults and children are always a huge hit. Winners will receive prizes from the contest sponsor BC Pizza. Another popular indoor event is the Grand Story Hour held on Saturday at Books N Things. Crafts, snacks and two stories are read to reading enthusiasts by East Jordan’s Citizen of the Year, Luanne Reed.
The East Jordan Sno-Mobilers Clubhouse in the location for a majority of Saturday’s events. Beginning at 9:00 AM, the Classic and Antique Snowmobile Show will show a number of spectacular sleds of the past for spectators to enjoy. The Blessing of the ORV’s and sleds will be held at 10:00 AM. ORV owners and enthusiasts are invited to participate in the ORV Obstacle Course event scheduled for 10:45 AM. There is a $5.00 entry fee, must be 18 and over and wear a helmet for the event. New this year, the 1st Ever Frozen pancake Olympics will run from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Also new this year a Chili Cook-Off sponsored by the EJ Sno-Mobilsrs will take place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. At noon, the very popular SnowStuds Bikini Radar Run – Breast Cancer Fundraiser will find 25 plus participants on the track to help raise money for local breast cancer patients. Following the Bikini Run, snowmobile Radar Runs will be offered from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Participants must be 18 years or older and wear a helmet (no side by side racing). There is a $10.00 entry fee for the Radar Runs.
Also, a major highlight of the festival is the Crowning of the Belle of the Blizzard and Winter Knight will be held on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM at the Sno-Mobilers Clubhouse. This year’s candidates for Belle include Jaleesa O’Neal, Maegan Chamberlain and Dorothy Warrington. Winter Knight Candidates are Jason O’Neal, Josh Chamberlain and Stewart Warrington. Candidates who raise the most amount of money are crowned Belle and Knight. Proceeds help to promote the festival.
A new event on Saturday evening, “Winter Luminary Stroll and Sip” will take place at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center on M-66 in East Jordan. Participants are invited to hike, ski or snowshoe by candlelight from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The festival concludes on Sunday with the famous Sno-Lovers Breakfast at the Sno-Mobilers Clubhouse from 7:00 AM to Noon. Immediately following the breakfast the winners of the South Arm ORV Club Raffle will drawing and announced. Raffle tickets are on sale now from any club member or at the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce Office. Tickets will also be sold throughout the festival.
Throughout East Jordan there are many opportunities to enjoy winter at no cost. The East Jordan Tourist Park is home to two ice skating rinks, there is the East Jordan Lion’s Club disc golf course at East Jordan Community Park, and both snowshoeing and cross country skiing is possible at the Community Park and Little Traverse Conservancy’s Rogers Family Nature Preserve. Experience the new Jordan Art Walk. Take a stroll in Memorial Park across the “Joining Jordan” pedestrian bridge to Sportsman’s Park and check out the sculptures.
The community of East Jordan is a snowmobile friendly town and offers dining opportunities in its downtown, a wine cellar and shopping.
For more information contact the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, phone 231-536-7351, email info@ejchamber.org or see a full schedule of Sno-Blast events and a Jordan Art Walk Map on the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.ejchamber.org.