WINTERFEST REVS UP FRIDAY

ON YOUR MARK: Snowmobile racers rev their enginesprior to blasting off the starting line. (Photo/Off-Road.com).

JOSEPH - The third annual Winterfest, organized by the Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club, is ready to roll Jan. 19 through 28.

The club is expecting between 2,500 and 3,000 spectators and contestants. Event President Gary Bethscheider is ready for another exciting and enjoyable celebration of winter in Wallowa County.

"We hope everyone will come up to Joseph to participate and compete, and we hope we get some cooperation from the weather," he said.

The fun starts Friday with the Loomix Tub Races on Main Street in Joseph at

6 p.m. Entry fee is $25 per team of two guys and two girls. One person rides in the tub while eating a hot dog. The other three people push, pull, or drag the tub. The hot dog must be eaten and all four people must be touching the tub when it crosses the finish line.

A snowman/snow sculpture contest follows on the 20th. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded during the All You Can Eat Crab Feed in the Thunder Room at the rodeo arena from 3 to 8 p.m. A dance will be held after dinner with music by Destinesia starting at 9 p.m.

This year's Poker Run, also scheduled for Saturday, has a guaranteed purse of $2,000. Sign-up begin at 9 a.m. in the Thunder Room. The first hand will be drawn when you sign up. Snow permitting, the run will start in Joseph. If there is not enough snow, it will start at Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park.

Sno-cross races will take place Jan. 27 and 28 with cooperation of Mother Nature. Start time is 9 a.m., and the races will conclude about 3 p.m. A $6,500 purse awaits the winner of the race. Contestants and spectators are encouraged to check the Winterfest website (www.snowmobilewal

lowacounty.com) before traveling to compete as the race will be canceled if there is not enough snow.

Sno-cross racing is like motocross racing except that it's done on a snow-covered track about a third of a mile long. The challenging course tests rider skill.

A second dance is scheduled for 9 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Thunder Room. Tickets are $6, and music is by Little McKay Creek Band.

The Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club was established in 1972 to promote snowmobiling and to create a system of trails in Wallowa County. The club has regularly scheduled meetings, rides and play days. They also assist in search and rescue missions.