STEWARTSTOWN - While event organizers said this week they couldn't calculate exact attendance figures for last weekend's 21st annual New Hampshire SnoDeo, it seemed clear visitors to the two-day display of the latest in snowmobile equipment was up from the past two years.

Kevin Drew, president of Swift Diamond Rider Snowmobile Club in West Stewartstown, said Saturday some 4,000 visitors were expected to trek to Coleman State Park, and it appeared the SnoDeo drew about that number.

"Our snowmobile traffic was definitely up this year," Drew said Tuesday, adding, "This year, we had more snowmobilers riding in than cars driving in. That's a good sign that trail conditions are very good all around us."

A portion of frozen Diamond Pond became a snowmobile parking lot as riders arrived at the Stewartstown trail hub from all points.

Drew's 800-member club is responsible for grooming and maintaining 120 miles of snowmobile trails. The members depend on the $10,000 to $15,000 in profits from the SnoDeo each year to help maintain the trails.



bhookway@newstote.com