IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – This weekend, Dickinson County is set to sparkle as the 2nd annual ‘Stomp the Snow’ charity snowshoe event takes center stage. The event, supporting the Imagination Factory and Pine Creek Woodworking, promises an enchanting experience for all.
Jean O’Dette, Senior VP Chief Credit Officer at First National Bank and Trust, expressed excitement about the event’s growth.
“We’re really excited about our second annual ‘stomp the snow’ event. We’re excited that there’s snow this year. Lots of it. Lots of it is still coming down. So we’ll have the trails nice and groomed, but we have some new things this year. It was such a success last year. We learned from it, and grew from it. We took everybody’s suggestions, and we improved it. We have over 200 lanterns on the trail this year.”
With over 200 lanterns adorning the trails (about 30 more than last year), improvements from last year’s success are evident.
“We have a lot more sponsors,” O’Dette stated. “We have six major sponsors this year: First National Bank, and trust Bacco construction, MJ, electric Pinegrove, Country Club, Enbridge, and Radio Results Network,” she added.
Pinegrove’s pasta bar, expanded food areas, and live music by Tom Niebrzydowski add to the festivities.
“Pinegrove is going to have a pasta bar this year, and we moved the games outside because there were so many people that wanted to eat last year and there was just not enough room. So now we expanded the food area. They’re going to have their specialty drinks again inside the clubhouse, and we have Tom Niebrzydowski and his band that are playing live music between 5 and 7 PM that night,” informed O’Dette. The band is a guitar, violin, and cello collaboration called Datura String Trio, featuring Tom Niebryzdowski, Christiana Maule-Tekampe, and Natasha Maule-Tekampe. Listeners can expect classical, celtic, and eastern european melodies from around the world.
Patti Carolo, Vice President of First National Bank and Trust, shared details about the four trails, including the new ‘Marshfield Mile’ GLOW trail. The trail is thanks to Marshfield Clinic Health System. She emphasized how the different trails cater to various preferences.
“We have 4 trails this year. We added a glow trail that’s the mile Marshfield Trail so it’ll be more of a flatter terrain so you won’t have to go up that big hill if you don’t want to. We have our other three trails that half mile the mile and the one and three-quarter mile,” Carolo shared.
The family-friendly event, from 4-7 pm on Saturday, features s’mores, hot cocoa, and a dazzling course starting in a tunnel of lights. Attendees can choose from loops ranging from a half-mile to a one-and-three-quarter mile trail.
Generous community sponsors, including major sponsors like First National Bank & Trust and Pine Grove Country Club, ensure the event remains free for the public. New features, such as a pasta bar, fire pit, and the one-mile GLOW trail, promise a memorable experience.
As the community gathers for this luminous occasion, sponsors like Systems Control, Made Insurance & Edelweiss Coffee, DTE, Town & Country Sales, Peninsula Title Co, Northern Interstate Bank, 41 Lumber, Erickson’s Jewelers, Jacobson Heating, and many others contribute to the magic. The trails, sponsored by local businesses, offer diverse terrains for participants.
With Shepherd hooks and a new fire pit donated by R-C Rebuilders Fabricators, the ‘Stomp the Snow’ event is set to create lasting memories in Dickinson County, embracing the spirit of community and winter wonder.