Saxon Snowcat Show thrives despite freezing temps

By P.J. GLISSON

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SAXON, Wis. - A Vintage Snowcat Show drew steady streams of viewers on Saturday despite biting wind chills that sunk well below the zero mid-day temperature.

Dozens of attendees faced the cold with great aplomb as they wandered around, admiring the decades-old machines, some of which once were used to clear snowmobile trails.

The event was hosted by Perry Ofstad, owner of Pitt's Place in Saxon, and viewers were happy to use the bar as a refuge and a place to enjoy a spread of food while visiting with family and friends.

The vehicles - many of them with motors humming gamely - were on display in a parking lot across from the bar and also behind the neighboring J.J. Defer building.

"This is my first time I've ever seen the old groomers," said Larry Stenroos of Kimball.

He said it was nice for everyone to enjoy "a little piece of history" and to show "appreciation" for guys who have maintained the trails.

Stenroos was hanging out with Luke Niemi of Hurley, Kohl Manzanares of Saxon, and Page Collins of White Pine.

Back in 1946, the Tucker Snowcat Corporation - a U.S. company - coined the term "snowcat" from the words "snow" and "caterpillar." People unfamiliar with these types of vehicles might remember how one was used to great effect in the "The Shining," a 1980 horror movie starring Jack Nicholson.

Other major makers of the vehicles include Pisten Bully of Germany and Prinoth of Italy.

"Everyone's got a hobby," said Louis Morbach of Appleton, a spokesman for Saturday's group. "This is just another hobby."

He said this is the sixth year that he and his cohorts have gathered, with some of them coming from as far away as Pennsylvania and Oregon. He estimated that nearly 80 people attended this year's event.

"It's a good group of people," he said. "They bring their friends and family, so it's like a family-based event."

According to Morbach, the nearly three dozen snowcats on display included models from 1948 to the late 1990s.

He said that persons who display the old vehicles have a common interest in old equipment. "A lot of the machines have unattainable parts," he admitted, adding that owners like to swap stories about how they keep them running or how they use them.

For instance, he said he uses his own machine to transport his grandpa out on the ice to fish.

"I like working on the big machines," said Rachel Ducharme of Wakefield, who explained that she was introduced to the show a few years ago by friends.

While gazing at the larger snowcats behind the J.J. Defer Building, she added, with a nod to the comfort of nostalgia, "I don't own one, but I like being around them."

"We usually go for an organized trail ride," concluded Morbach, who said that snowcat owners planned to do that later in the day, gathering in Hurley for dinner.