RANGELEY – The annual Snodeo, which brings hundreds of snowmobile riders here, begins Thursday on a frozen, white landscape. The Rangeley Chamber of Commerce and Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club couldn’t be happier about the conditions.

“There’s plenty of snow here,” said Gail Spaulding of the chamber.

The other necessary ingredients, plenty of activities and people to enjoy them, appear to be under control, too, for the three-day event. People are calling for accommodations and the club is bringing back some favorite activities, club organizer Marsha Morton said.

For about 20 years, the Snodeo has helped raise money for the club to pay for grooming trails. This year, Toyota will help sponsor the event, Morton said.

Activities begin Thursday night and continue through Friday, but most activities take place on Saturday and draw many who come for just the day.

The radar runs on Russell Cove on Saturday pit several different classes of riders and machines against the speed gun in races across the ice.

Other favorites on Saturday include a poker run, activities for children, turkey bowling and an awards ceremony followed by a drawing for an Arctic Cat snowmobile.

Snowmobilers can also decorate their machines or float for a parade that begins at the Rangeley Inn at 5 p.m. and proceeds down Main Street to the lake, Morton said. Parade entries are judged for trophies.

There will be a fireworks display at Lakeside Park after the parade.

Casino Night starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Rangeley Inn, and a family ride and cookout begins at 10 a.m. Friday.

Snowmobile dealers will offer Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Polaris and Ski-Doo demos to test drive, Morton said.

Two pig roasts are planned for Saturday, one from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Four Seasons Cafe and another at 1 p.m. at Farmhouse Inn. Dinners and entertainment are also available elsewhere.

Snowmobiling will augment auctions, raffle drawings, a chili-chowder cook-off Thursday and a dance featuring Chesapeake DJ on Friday night at the Club House Restaurant, Snodeo headquarters.

More information is available at www.rangeleysnowmobile.com or at 864-7336.