With the rumble of dozens of snowmobiles bookended by groomers from the Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club, the Badger State Torch Run made its presence known as it came through Eagle River.
The tour’s final stop before lighting the torch during the World Championship Snowmobile Derby’s opening ceremony was the World Snowmobile Headquarters.
Andrew Nussbaum with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism was one the rider who started in Wausau the day before.
“Anytime I can spend time in Northern Wisconsin on the trails, snowmobiling with the clubs it’s a fantastic day. And the work that they have done to put together this torch run and to end up here today in Eagle River. Fantastic Day,” said Nussbaum.
This is the third time in its 33-year history the Torch run has done the route from Wausau to Eagle River.
It’s a way to drum up some excitement for the Badger State Winter Games, while showcasing the snowmobile trails the Northwoods has to offer.
It also helped kick off the World Championship Snowmobile Derby.
“This is a very exciting winter. It all started with last week when we had vintage and then you move into the castle. The ice castle itself went up this year and then this weekend with derby. We’ve got a lot of people in the area enjoying winter sports. Snowmobiling in the snowmobile capital of the world. People are out ice fishing they are cross country skiing, snowshoeing. It’s just a great time in the Northwoods right now,” said Kim Emmerson, Eagle River Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
The torch ride made lots of stops over its two-day journey including Tomahawk, Minocqua, and St. Germain.
The tour ended at the World Championships Snowmobile Derby where the torch was lit during opening ceremonies on Friday night.
