MANITOUWADGE – A lot has changed for the Manitouwadge ATV Jamboree since the event started in 2015.
Other than an interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has become an important one on the local calendar, especially as more people come into the community to take to the trails.
“We’ve had people come here from Ignace, Kapuskasing and Sudbury,” said Karen Robinson, who is the treasurer and executive director of the Manitouwadge Economic Development Corporation, which runs the ATV Jamboree.
“It’s also evolved where there are a lot more women travelling on their own and bringing their machines in. It’s not a man’s thing anymore like it was in the past.
“We have a great trails coordinator and a great trails committee that makes sure everything is ready to go, plus we have great word of mouth through social media where people are reading about the event and how happy those that come here are with the event.”
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, with all participants being asked to register by 8 a.m. at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church parking lot.
The rides are about three hours long, with one group heading out in the morning and the other setting out on the trails in the afternoon.
“The runs change a little because of the conditions of our forest,” Robinson said.
“One of the runs we’ve used quite a few times because it goes out to Manitou Falls, which is a real tourist attraction for us, but the one run we’re using this year is brand new.
“Our guys have cleaned it up and it’s ready to go for our riders.”
Robinson said that the jamboree has been good for the community since it was established in 2015.
The funds that are raised during the event support the Manitouwadge Economic Development Corporation, which helps businesses in the area.
“This event brings people in from out of town so it helps our economy a lot because people are staying in houses or hotels, they are shopping at our stores and getting gas from our gas stations,” Robinson said.
“I also can’t stress enough about what our businesses do for this event. Every business in our town is supportive and we’ve been really lucky to have that over the years.”
Registration for this year’s ride is already complete, but Robinson said there might still be room to add a couple of more riders before Saturday.
Anyone who is interested in taking part can contact the event organizers on their Facebook page or via email.
