Want to be part of a world-record-setting attempt? If yes, then plan to be in Whitecourt, Alberta, on February 12, 2015. That is the day when snowmobilers will try to break the Guinness World Record for largest snowmobile parade.
The feat, which is being arranged by the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) and the Whitecourt Trailblazers, is taking place in conjunction with the Trailblazers’ five-day World Snowmobile Invasion event.
The current world record is 820 snowmobiles, and it was set on February 21, 2004, in Roseau, Minnesota, on a 46.6-kilometre (30-mile) course that was arranged by the Roseau County Trailblazers Snowmobile Club.
The ASA World Snowmobile Parade will run a 3.2-kilometre (two-mile) course, starting at 7 p.m.., and it will go through downtown Whitecourt. Anyone and all ages are welcome to join, according to parade organizer David Turcotte.
“It is our hope to have children on mini-sleds and accompany their parents,” said Turcotte, “and we will also see a large number of vintage snowmobiles participating in the event.”
It will not be known how many people will be in the parade until the day of the event, but Turcotte said the goal is to have more than 1,000 snowmobiles. It will be a celebration of cultures, too.
“We will also be encouraging those from other countries to bear their flags during the parade to identify where they have travelled from,” said Turcotte.
Registration for the parade takes place on the day of the event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Welcome Centre/Rotary Park in Whitecourt.
The only worry is if the weather will cooperate, but the Trailblazers already have a plan in place if it doesn’t.
“Our hope is that Mother Nature will cooperate and provide us with additional snowfall on the day of the parade,” said Turcotte, “and if not, the plan is to have a little extra snow added to the streets to allow snowmobiles to travel along the route without any issues.”
The event is free for both participants and spectators. For more information, see the WSI website.
