19th Annual Snowarama going ahead despite lack of snow
Snowarama is an annual snowmobiling event held in Grand Portage. Despite the lack of snow this year, the event is still scheduled to happen on Feb. 10. Rhonda Harrison, community engagement manager for Northern Region Easter Seals Ontario, explained that Snowarama is a major fundraiser for Easter Seals, which works to support families with children with physical disabilities.
According to Harrison, Easter Seals assists families with purchasing equipment like wheelchairs and walkers, but also helps children with disabilities access spaces like inclusive summer camps. Harrison said that these camps are important because, “Everyone at the camp has a physical disability, so it’s a chance for them to not feel different for a week. It’s a lifechanging experience for a lot of these kids.”
This will be the 19th annual Snowarama, and Harrison said that even in this year of very little snow, the Grand Portage Trail Riders, who are hosting the event with the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, and Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, are working hard to give attendees some kind of riding experience. While snow conditions may be poor, there will be a full schedule of events, ranging from karaoke to a bonfire. Harrison said that many attendees come to Grand Portage to enjoy the full weekend of events each year, not only the snowmobiling. More information about the event can be found at snowarama.org
WTIP’s Mark Abrahamson spoke with Rhonda Harrison the community engagement manager for Northern Region Easter Seals Ontario about the Snowarama fundraiser being held in Grand Portage on Feb. 10. Full audio of that interview is below.