Garrison February Events Rolled!

Here's Sunday action from the first heat of Open Pro Quads, won by #28 Taylor Peterson

GARRISON -- More than 2,000 people converged on Garrison for last weekend's six-circuit ice racing events, helping this Mille Lacs Lake town cap its best winter recreational month in years.

"In a lot of years we haven't had snow or we've had rain and water on the ice in February," said Mark Tadych, Blue Goose Inn owner and event organizer for the races. He added historic perspective, having been in Garrison since 1993. "This is our best February yet."

Tadych and an estimated 30 Garrison Commercial Club members were on the ice, assisting with entry fees, parking, selling concessions and event oversight. It was the third straight weekend the community has been in the limelight on Mille Lacs Lake.

Arctic Blast XVI and the 7th Annual Ducks Unlimited Ice Fishing Tourney brought thousands to Garrison and Mille Lacs in previous weekends.  The DU tourney had 3,054 registered anglers.

"This definitely helps the community make it through the winter," said Myron Stevens, President of the Commercial Club. "These last few weekends kind of make us or break us for the winter.  And the ice fishing's been pretty slow lately."

Racing organizations operated on both days of the weekend independent of each other, making it a mecca for outdoor snowmobile, car, ATV and motorcyle racing.

The listing of circuits present: the Oval Racing Alliance (ORA); ORA Vintage Snowmobiles; Stud Club Motorcyle and ATV; Hardwater Racing Association; International Ice Race Assocation; and Kids Pro Ice all held races.

All have dedicated followings, websites and a healthy base of competitors. Tournament Banquets for many of the organizations were held at the Blue Goose Inn and Harbor Inn on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, Tadych and Stevens said. See some awesome racing photos from most circuits on the Make It Mille Lacs Facebook page.