EUSTIS – With winter’s icy chill in the air and the Super Bowl fresh in thought, town members of both Eustis and Stratton turned their attention to a much more important issue, this year’s annual Polar Blast.
Snowmobile lovers of all ages took to the trails this past weekend to participate in the ninth annual Polar Blast. Sponsored by the Flagstaff Area Business Association, Arnold Trail Snowmobile Club and Budweiser, the weekend’s activities included a radar run, polar putting, food and entertainment and plenty of riding.
To kick off this year’s celebration, a Casino Night was held at the Stratton Plaza Hotel on Thursday, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and bonfire Friday.
With the temperature hovering around 50 degrees, Saturday featured the radar run, a chili/chowder contest with eight different chilis and five chowders, and an awards ceremony.
The radar run featured more than 100 sled enthusiasts of all different ages, giving them a chance to compete for top speeds in seven different categories. Jim Allen, assistant trail master of the snowmobile club, said the event is a good family activity and credited all the volunteers involved for making it possible.
“This is a great way to spend some time with the family in the beauty of the Western Mountains,” said Allen.
According to Allen, people from all over New England came to compete for the chance to claim honors in classes ranging from stock and modified to an open class and top-speed-of-the-day honors. All money raised will go to the snowmobile club for future trail maintenance and club expenses.
Debbie Buschmann, a member of business association, who was wearing a polar bear outfit for the event, says she loves participating in the Polar Blast each year. This is Buschmann’s third year as the event’s mascot. She said she’s glad to be back after being sidelined last year due to a broken a paw.
“Next year marks our 10th year, and we’re really going to try to do some cool stuff,” she said.
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