Anyone who fondly remembers the old Markham Snowmobile Show would have loved the 14^th Annual Kawartha Sledarama Snowmobile Show today at the Peterborough, Ontario fairgrounds. Without any pretensions or pressure, this down-home style show showcases the grassroots of snowmobiling, from local clubs to a large, outdoor flea market with classic sleds, parts and accessories. This year’s one-day retail show featured 148 exhibitors both inside and out – and snowmobilers came from far and wide to mix, mingle, share sledding stories and buy, buy, buy.

The Kawartha show is run by Bruce Larmar and Joe Scollard, two regular guys who do it for the love of snowmobiling – and the show works because their laid back approach permeates the show with a friendly, easy-going charm. They’re lucky too, because despite threatening skies, it only rained for about 20 minutes at about 8:30 AM as people waited in line for the gates to open at 9. It’s indicative of their style that rather than make their customers stand in the rain until the official opening, Joe and Bruce quickly decided to open the doors 15 minutes early. 

I chatted with many exhibitors, all of whom agreed that this is a great little show that they really enjoy doing. Everyone I talked to, from club volunteers to sledders in the aisles echoed that sentiment – this is a pure snowmobile show put on by snowmobilers for snowmobilers, and just like me, attendees felt right at home as soon as they walked in the door. It’s like going to a giant clubhouse where everybody’s having fun and enjoying the company. 

If you missed this year’s show, mark you calendar today for Sunday, November 18, 2012 and come rub shoulders with the grassroots of Central Ontario snowmobiling!