RANGELEY — Snodeo 2011 plans more fireworks than ever for Saturday during the display at Lakeside Park.

The fireworks celebrate the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club’s 25th anniversary, event organizer Marsha Morton said. The club and Budweiser are sponsoring this year’s annual event with activities starting Thursday night and running through Saturday.

Some favorite events return again this year along with a vintage snowmobile display planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Boss Power Equipment at 2775 Main St.

Between 20 and 40 exhibitors from all over New England and Canada are expected, Jonny Wakefield from Boss Power Equipment said. Snowmobiles dating back to the early 1960s are expected.

The Rave X Freestyle Show returns this year and begins at 2 p.m. Saturday in Boss Power Equipment’s parking lot. It was a popular event last year, he said. Crazy stunts, back flips and jumps on snowmobiles are expected to thrill the crowd again this year.

“The predominantly Maine boys put on a great show. They’re good with kids and are interactive. They also take time after the show to meet the kids and fans. It’s also free,” Wakefield said.

The company is also providing a new Arctic Cat snowmobile for a raffle drawing to benefit the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club. The winner will be drawn during an awards ceremony at 4 p.m Saturday at Moose Alley, the former Club House Restaurant. Moose Alley is the headquarters for the Snodeo.

A snowmobile parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Main Street with float trophies awarded followed by the fireworks. These top off the day’s activities, but dinners and entertainment are planned at several places in town during the evening.

The event kicks off Thursday, Jan. 20, with the annual chili-chowder cook-off at 6 p.m. at Moose Alley followed by a Casino Night starting at 7 p.m., Morton said.

On Friday at 4 p.m. The Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club’s welcome to the Snodeo is planned from 4 to 8 p.m., followed by dancing starting at 8 p.m. with the band Night Moves.

Saturday is packed with activities, including radar and poker runs, helicopter rides, activities for children and turkey bowling prior to the afternoon and evening activities.

The radar runs, timed snowmobile races on a plowed track, are held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Russell Cove with registrations taken at Moose Alley.

The poker run involves visits to various businesses around Rangeley via snowmobile to receive stamps that will determine the number of cards in a participant’s poker hand, Morton said.

Helicopter rides will start in the town cove on Saturday.

The Student Council at Rangeley Lakes Regional School will sponsor turkey bowling starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Moose Alley.

Hands-on children’s activities, sponsored by the Wilhelm Reich Museum, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rangeley Inn. A gingerbread men activity for children takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gingerbread House.

More information about the Snodeo is available at www.rangeleysnowmobile.com. Trail conditions are provided on the Sno-Phone at 864-7336.

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