Winter snowshoe blast planned on Gile Flowage

GILE, Wis. - The Hurley Fourth of July Fireworks Committee will host the first Snowshoe Extravaganza on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. on the Gile Flowage.

According to committee member Mike Fontecchio, interested participants can register until 2 p.m. the day of the event.

The idea for the event came because winter is so long, Fontecchio said.

"By February people are pretty shack-happy," he said. "We wanted to do something that would get people out. We have more than 100 people pre-registered and we're hoping for 200 by race day. The more the merrier."

It's a timed race, but people can choose to walk or run the mile or 5-kilometer options.

"Walk or run - no one will be forced to do one or the other. We have some people who are planning on bringing backpacks and making an adventure out of it," Fontecchio said.

After snowshoeing, there will be a party at the Iron County Memorial Building in Hurley at 4 p.m. Admission to the after party is donation only. There will be a cash bar, Italian food, a 50-50 raffle and DJ music until 9 p.m.

From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the White House Players will perform. "They are from central Wisconsin, and have played at the Hodag festival," Fontecchio said. "They are a very popular band, so we hope people will come out. We encourage the public to attend the after-party, even if they don't participate in snowshoeing. It should be a really good time."

Proceeds from the snowshoe registrations will go to the Hurley Fourth of July Fireworks Committee.

"We've been doing the fireworks in Hurley (near Lake Michele) for a number of years, and people really enjoy them," Fontecchio said.

For more information, contact Fontecchio at facebook.com/spiders.bar or call the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-561-4334.