Local winter sports enthusiasts gather for swap meet and vintage sled show

KASSON, Minn. (KTTC) – The Kasson Mantorville Snowdrifters and Byron Snow Bears hosted the Great Southern MN Swap Meet and Vintage Sled Show Sunday morning at the Kasson Fairgrounds.

Vendors at the event featured sledges, snowmobiles, ATVs, and UTVS, with some vintage snowmobiles as old as the 1960s. Event Co-Chairman Jim Miesbauer says this is the third year of organizing the gathering, and he feels it is a great local opportunity for enthusiasts to get together.

”We’re getting close to winter,” he said. “[It’s the] end of September and we’re hoping to see a lot better of a year this year for snowmobiling than we did last winter with no snow. We’re like farmers. We’re eternal optimists. It’s going to be a good snow year.“

Miesbauer shared gatherings such as this are not only important for providing opportunities for local enthusiasts, but also to attract newcomers. He said the event is perfect to meet new people and learn more about winter sports if you have never done it before.

“If you had never snowmobile, there’s a good place to come and talk to people that have snowmobiles and why you’d want to get into the sport,” Miesbauer said. “It gets in your blood if you enjoy outdoor activities and winter sports snowmobiling is a way to get out of the house, get off the couch, get out and enjoy nature.”

Miesbauer said the main goal of these events is to raise money towards maintaining snowmobile trails in southeast Minnesota. He adds he plans on hosting more swap meets every year.

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