RANGELEY – Great snow this year has created enthusiasm for Rangeley’s 2008 Snodeo that begins Thursday.

There’s always a good turnout for activities at the 20-plus-year-old event, said Evelyn McAllister of the Rangeley Chamber of Commerce.

“But after a couple years of snow drought, everyone’s really looking forward to a successful event this year,” she said. “Snow conditions are great.”

Snow was falling Friday and with colder temperatures predicted, this year’s Snodeo, sponsored by the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club, shows potential with reservations coming in strong, she said.

Several groups, including the chamber, participate. While activities start Thursday night and continue Friday, the really big ones, she said, take place on Saturday. The Radar Run is timed snowmobile races open to anyone. It is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Russell Cove on Rangeley Lake. Registration is from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse Restaurant.

An awards ceremony and drawing for a 2008 Arctic Cat Snowmobile will follow at 4 p.m.

A pancake breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Clubhouse Restaurant by the Rangeley Lakes Regional School Class of 2010.

Activities are open to everyone.

The snowmobile parade and fireworks are always favorites. The parade lines up at 5 p.m. at Rangeley Inn and leads entrants out onto the lake where a fireworks display follows at Town Park, she said.

Snodeo starts Thursday with the chamber’s chili/chowder cook-off at 6 p.m. at the Clubhouse Restaurant. Local restaurants show their culinary talents, and everyone is invited to come taste their chili and chowder. A casino night follows at 7 p.m. at the Rangeley Inn.

Friday’s activities include a family snowmobile ride and cookout. The ride leaves from Oquossoc Marine at 10 a.m.

One big party highlights Friday when Welcome to Snodeo starts at 4 p.m. at the Clubhouse Restaurant. Everyone is in town by then, she said, and an auction, raffle and door prizes are offered. Music for dancing follows with the band Most Wanted.

Other activities include a poker run on Saturday with registration from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Clubhouse Restaurant where a hands-on children’s activities table, compliments of Wilhelm Reich Discovery Room, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For a second year, gingerbread men will be made from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Gingerbread House in Oquossoc.

Frozen turkey bowling begins at 12:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse Restaurant held by the Rangeley school Class of 2010.

Two pig roasts will be held this year, she said. One is at Four Seasons Cafe in Oquossoc from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the other at 1 p.m. at the Farmhouse Inn in Rangeley.