By Brenda Erdahl
Although the warmest day out of a string of frigid ones, it was still on the chilly (and blustery) side for Maple Lake’s first Snow Machine Rendezvous and Ride, Saturday, Feb. 15.
The event took place in the empty lot in downtown Maple Lake and the 100 or so people who came and went throughout the morning and afternoon were grateful for the two impressive sized fires to warm up at.
The several inches of snow the night before provided a great atmosphere for the event that focused on things that “go in the snow,” and all who attended came well dressed for the weather. As such, temperatures in the teens and a cold north wind couldn’t dampen the festive spirit nor hinder conversations about the many unique snow machines on display.
According to Scott Chantland, one of the event’s organizers, there were 52 different machines dating back to 1960 up to modern day. All of them, even the oldest, were up and running and puttered or roared in on their own working tracks.
Organizers estimate 100 or so people attended Saturday’s event to see some 52 different machines.