Counting on Mother Nature: Boonville Snow Festival II still hopeful for 2023 racing weekend, despite lack of winter weather

BOONVILLE- After three walloping rounds of snow before Christmas, it was easy for one to think that the North Country was in store for a good, old-fashioned winter.

Although we still have quite a long way to go yet before it’s time to start thinking about green grass, one would be shocked to see how Old Man Winter seems to have fallen asleep here in the North Country.

As of December 31, Boonville was only 8-inches shy of 100, according to the official numbers kept by Edy O’Rourke.

It appeared then as if there would be no questions over whether this-year’s Boonville Snow Festival would be in jeopardy for January 27-29.

However, our snowpack has since vanished rapidly and with no significant snowfall to be measured anywhere and with our local snowmobile trails shut-down, the snow festival committee is once again faced with the difficult choice: have racing as scheduled; reschedule or cancel.

As of this update, we do have confirmation that committee members will make that decision this week.

Fortunately, we’ve experienced more consistent seasonal cold temperatures lately, which has allowed volunteer crews to resume ice-making again. We were told Monday morning the oval track, located at the Boonville-Oneida County Fairgrounds, has a “pretty solid” 5 to 6-inches of ice.

Officials tell us they still need to make more, but even more importantly they need snowfall to help with safety measures in the corners.

Furthermore, a lot of snow-fest visitors make the trip on their sleds and if the snowmobile trails remain closed, that option will not be feasible.

For now, there is not much talk of any significant or major snow events anytime soon.

As soon as snow-fest officials have an update, we’ll be sharing it online and over the airwaves.

Image by Brian Trainor.