The Stetsonville Tired Iron Vintage Riders Snowmobile Club hosted its 11th annual show and ride on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville.
This year’s event saw the move to a novel venue, which was needed because the show continues to grow.
Joining the over 100 snowmobiles on display and their owners was Miss Wisconsin, Kylene Spanbauer, who spent the day learning about the machines and even driving one for the first time.
She said coming to events like the Tired Iron Vintage Riders show is critical because of the history and community involved with the event.
“I think events like these are important to Wisconsin’s history,” Spanbauer said. “The tradition of people coming and celebrating together, and all of the work and time they spent on these snowmobiles and the community that they form doing those things – I think it’s really important to celebrate them.”
The event featured a meal as well as various raffle items that were on display. Awards were given for best in show for each class of vintage snowmobile. A “one-pull” contest was had as a field of about 10 or so competitors attempted to start their older machines using just one pull.
Mikala Zettler was named Miss Tired Iron 2023 and she and Spanbauer took a ride around the grounds on a vintage snowmobile and sled to celebrate the award.
Spanbauer said the tightness of the snowmobiling community was really fun to be apart of for a day.
“It brings in so much revenue to the state and there’s this huge community when it comes to snowmobiling,” Spanbauer said. “Everyone is connected. There’s so many different snowmobile shows and races throughout the winter in the state of Wisconsin and it’s really neat to be a part of it and share in the special times with everyone.”
Event organizer Leon Long said he was pleased with the turnout for the event and was thankful for the sponsors that helped make the event possible.
“I want to thank all our club members and I want to thank Miss Wisconsin for coming,” Long said. “I want to thank Stetsonville Centennial Hall crew because they made the event pretty seamless with food and everything. And we’ll thank the Good Lord for good weather.”
The attendees took a ride to Dorchester and back to Stetsonville after the show. They then had an awards show and gave out the raffle items.
—Neal Hogden, for The Star News
