Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
As the 2020 Badger State Winter Games begin its 31st season, a two-day Snowmobile Torch Ride from Wausau to Eagle River on Jan. 16-17, officially got the games underway. The Torch Ride involved 12 snowmobile clubs, four counties, and over 150 miles of snowmobile trails.
The two-day trip began Thursday morning, Jan 16, at the Trailmates Snowmobile Club in Wausau. The Torch Ride then proceeded on to Merrill with a stop at Prairie Trails Park, before continuing on to stops in Tomahawk, Hazelhurst and Minocqua/Woodruff before ending the day at Arbor Vitae.
Day two picked up at Cross Country Cruisers Snowmobile Clubhouse (1501 Helminski Rd. Arbor Vitae) with stops in Sayner, the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain and Snowmobile Museum in Eagle River. Riders then made their way over to the World Snowmobile Championship Derby Complex at 6 p.m. for the Opening Ceremony of the World Championship Snowmobile Races and Badger State Games.
The 2020 Badger State Winter Games will freature 28 events, hosted by cities all across Wisconsin. According to the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Debbe Kinsey, Merrill will be the host city of two events this year.
“We are fortunate again this year to be chosen to host the Fat Tire Bike Races at our City Forest on February 8, and new this year we are also going to be hosting the Snowshoe Races on February 9.” Kinsey said.
The 2020 Badger State Winter Games began on Jan. 11 with Alpine Skiing and Archery-NASP (National Archery Schools Program) and will continue to run through the month of April. For a full event list of the 2020 Winter Games visit www.visitwausau.com/winter-games