16th annual Veterans Appreciation Snowmobile Ride coming up in Grand Rapids

About 150 veterans plus guides will be hitting the snowmobile trails on Saturday for the 16th annual Veterans Appreciation Snowmobile Ride. The event is free for the veterans.

“We’ve had it here in Grand Rapids, six or seven times. We’ve gotten to know a lot of the veterans. Some people have never ridden before, and we get them snowmobile equipment and everything,” shared Al Lauer, from the Lawron Trail Riders Club. “It’s a pretty cool experience. We always have great people volunteering, because it’s such a great group.”

American flags will line a portion of the trail, and Lauer said it’s emotional riding that area.

The public is encouraged to come out and support the riders, by standing at Super One, the Slumberland store, or along Airport Road on Saturday morning.

The riders will be leaving around 9:15 Saturday, and will take off in waves.

The Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association and Minnesota Snowmobile Education and Advancement Fund put this event on.