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While perhaps not ideal, conditions are better this year than last for one of the area’s biggest events of the winter.
The prevalence of snow and mild temperatures - at least for early February- provide even more incentive to take part in this weekend’s Fun Run.
The 23rd annual edition of the popular snowmobile event is set for Saturday in the communities of Ely, Babbitt and Tower - with a giant prize giveaway and wrap-up party slated for 7 p.m. Saturday night at Fortune Bay Resort and Casino. Earlier in the day, hundreds of snowmobilers are expected to ride between checkpoints in Ely, Tower and Babbitt, amassing more chances to win some of the prizes to be given away.
AsofTuesday, more than 800 people were already registered and organizers were optimistic that turnout would top last year’s total of just over 1,000.
Organizers are also quick to note - and history shows -that one doesn’t need to ride a snowmobile or even own one to take part in the family fun event.
Many participants travel by car between the checkpoints (Ely- Grand Ely Lodge; Babbitt - Fish Tales Tavern; Tower - Benchwarmers) and others simply show up at Fortune Bay, where their advance or sameday registration puts them in the running for 20 grand prizes including $1,000 and $500 in cash.
About door prizes will also be distributed in a rapid-fire procession to kick off the evening, with the first prize to be awarded at 7:15 p.m. sharp.
Longtime chairman Jimmy Zupancich will then take the microphone for the next phase of the giveaway, which includes children’s prizes and several other same-day raffles.
A spinoff of the Minnesota Vikings Arctic Blast, which was a mainstay in the region in the mid-to-late-1990s, the Fun Run evolved into its own event with proceeds earmarked to help maintain snowmobile trails in the region.
Turnout topped the 1,000 mark last year despite a lack of snow that forced nearly all of the participants to take part by car or truck instead of snowmobile. Advance registration has been on par with recent years, and organizers expect many same day registrations at the three local checkpoints.
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes
The 20 grand prizes awarded tonight are just part of a giveaway that figures to send most participants home with at least one, if not more than one item.
Included in the main drawing, in addition to the $1,000 and $500 cash prizes donated by Fortune Bay, are items ranging from a two-night suite at Fortune Bay to a year’s supply of milk, ice cream, cheese and bread.
OneofthemostpopularFunRun events is the “Super Bonus” pick your prize table - with a 70-inch smart TV, Weber grill, electric bike a two-day stay and guided trip at Gruben’s Marina and a $1,500 gift card from Lake Vermilion Houseboats among the top prizes.
The Golden Nugget Giveaway Game offers a 70-inch flat-screen TV, a snowmobile rental from Lossing’s PAGE 2
Power Sports and a Michael Kors purse as the top prizes.
A Stihl KM111R Super Gas Trimmer and a 14-gallon Flow and Go fuel containers are the top prizes at Joe’s Marine Stihl of Deal table.
The Fun Run Summer Fun in the Sun Giveaway is headlined by a Five Burner Deluxe Gas Griddle, 600 pounds of deer feed, four box seats at a Minnesota Twins game, a 120-quart cooler and a dog house, with about 50 total prizes.
For the Kwazy Wabbit Zup North Giveaway, a 70-inch TV, Michael Kors purse and a snowmobile jacket are among the top prizes.
The Valentine’s Diamond Giveaway offers up a $1,200 diamond necklace, Invicta watch, Michael Kors and Coach purses and a Marilyn Monroe handbag among about 15 prizes.
Also Saturday, participants may take part in the Ely Winton Rod and Gun Club Super Giveaway. A 70-inch TV, snowmobile rental, and a pizza a month are among the prizes.
