For the Tomahawk Leader

As the 2020 Badger State Winter Games draws closer to opening their 31st season, it has been announced the Snowmobile Torch Ride will return from Wausau to Eagle River.  The Torch Ride will involve 12 snowmobile clubs, four counties and over 150 miles of snowmobile trails.

The Torch Ride will be a two-day event starting Thursday, Jan. 16 and include  stops in Merrill, Tomahawk, Hazelhurst, Minocqua/Woodruff and Arbor Vitae.

Day 2 will feature a number of additional stops and will then make its way to the World Snowmobile Championship Derby Complex at 6 p.m. for the Opening Ceremony for the World Championship Races and Badger State Games.  Dignitaries from each community will help carry the torch along the route and will be on the infield of the track and then the National Anthem and lighting of the Badger State Winter Games Caldron.

Among local snowmobile clubs taking part in the Torch Rider include the L&L Tree Dodgers, Rock Island X-Press, Northwods Passage and the Knight Owls Snowmobile Club in Lincoln County and in Oneida County Minocqua Forest Riders Sonwobile Club and Northern Trail Unlimited.