Fun on the go in the snow

By MEGAN HUGHES

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MERCER, Wis. - Mercer was abuzz with activity Saturday as snowmobile enthusiasts from all over paid a visit to town to enjoy the 16th annual Winter Blast hosted by the Mercer Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club.

The event featured food, raffles and an antique snowmobile show at the Sno-Goers' groomer barn in downtown Mercer.

Sno-Goers Treasurer Deb Hohner said volunteers were key to the event, including helping to set up Friday and serving food throughout the day Saturday. She estimated that around 50 people would volunteer over the course of the day.

The Mercer Sno-Goers has the second-largest membership in the state, according to Hohner, and is considered to have the highest business membership for a snowmobile club in the state, as well.

Hohner explained that the celebration would go into the evening, as more people made their rounds for a chance at winning prizes as part of the poker run, which is an annual affair.

"At night we will get even busier," said Sno-goers member Rick Boes, who was working the food station during the early afternoon.

The Hafner family from Bryant, Wisconsin, came into town to show off several of their antique vehicles, including a King Kat that has been one of their more recent vehicle projects.

"They drove up to New York to pick up the engine," said Patty Hafner.

"The King Kat was just a pile of parts when we first got it," said David Hafner.

The engine, which had never been used, was worth $15,000, according to Hafner, with the total cost put into the vehicle so far being up to $30,000 along with a year and a half of work time.

The family has been in the hobby for about a decade, and this was the second time they were in Mercer for the show.