e-mail
	comment

VINTAGE PRIDE: Approximately 115 sleds of all shapes, sizes and colours were shined up and on display. —photo courtesy Shawn and Susan Horner

Each year in August, hundreds of snowmobile enthusiasts converge on the town of Alliston, Ontario, for the annual vintage sled show. And 2007 was no different.

Held on August 10 and 11, the Alliston Vintage Sled Show brought sledders from Ontario, Quebec, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan and New York. Collectors swapped stories of bygone days while attendees enjoyed viewing the machines that originally started the snowmobile craze.

"We had people from all over and it was just an awesome time," said organizers Shawn and Susan Horner.

New this year was "Friday Night Under the Lights," a special viewing of a movie called A Matter of Winning. Organizers were pleased to see a crowd of 75 people show up to watch this classic snowmobile film.

"We wanted to enjoy the glitter and glam of the old sleds and the comaraderie of the hobby," said Susan Turner, event correspondent.

Awards and accolades were given out in a number of categories, including Best Display, Ugliest Sled, Best Classic Original and Best Race Sled 1975 Older. The prestigious Kyle Andrews Memorial People's Choice Award went to Gilles Laframboise and his restored 1976 John Deere 440 Liquifire.

According to Turner, the event raised a total of $700 for the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation (www.kellyshiresfoundation.org) and the Extreme Prostate Team (www.prostateextremeteam.com). This year's show held special significance in that it was dedicated to the family of Bob Cook, who passed away earlier this summer. Cook was the past president of the Antique and Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada and a valuable member of the snowmobile community.

"Bob was a true inspiration to the hobby of snowmobiling and a true gentleman at heart," said Turner.

For more information about this and next year's shows, visit www.allistonvintagesledshow.com.