Merrill to host snowmobile show and Ride-in’ Saturday

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
 MERRILL, Maine — Vintage snowmobiles will canvas the trails of Merrill Millstream Park Saturday as a tip of the cap to the days of yesteryear.
The second annual Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride-in will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, located on Route 212, and will feature a variety of old-fashioned sleds.    “We had such a great turnout last year, that we decided to make this an annual thing,” said Ralph Bartman, one of the event organizers.
Last year, about 100 people came out to the free event to get an up-close look at sleds, some of which were from the 1930s and ‘40s. Last year, one of the more popular sleds was a Model-T type sled.
Those attending can bring their vintage restored snowmobile — 15 years or older — and receive a participation prize. The event is all about “Beating the Winter Blues” with old-fashioned fun, Bartman said.
Children’s games will once again be offered, including a sliding contest. One thing organizers should not have to worry about is a lack of snow following this past weekend’s storm that dumped around a foot of snow on the area.
There will be free hot chocolate and coffee available and, for a nominal fee, hamburgers, hotdogs and chili.
The Merrill Stream Park Committee is hoping to make the ride-in as popular as their cruise-in held over Labor Day weekend. With funds raised from the cruise-in, the committee was able to purchase children’s playground equipment for the park.
For snowmobilers looking for access, Bartman said the park is not hooked onto the ITS trails, but the trail is handy to the park. There is ATV access to the park.
The event is coordinated and run by the Merrill Stream Park Committee. All proceeds of the event will go to Merrill Stream Park fund to help with maintenance.
For more information, call Ralph Bartman at 757-8411 or the Smyrna/Merrill Town Office at 757-8286.