Benefit snowmobile run Sunday

MEEKER I The third annual “I Ride with James” Poker and Snowmobile Ride will be held Sunday to help support the James Sizemore Memorial Scholarships and Rio Blanco County Search and Rescue.
Beginning at 10 a.m., snowmobilers should meet at the Lost Creek Trailhead at the end of County Road 8.
There will be a buy-in of $25 for five cards or participants can buy extra cards for $10 each at the end of the ride. The highest straight hand wins the grand prize, followed by first, second and third places.
Check-in for cards is 3 p.m. with prizes awarded at 4 p.m.
Grand prize is a brand new Polaris 120 kids’ sled. First place for the poker run is $1,000, second place pays $500 and third place wins $250. There is also a prize for oldest snowmobile and another for ugliest snowmobile. There will also be prizes for all kids who attend.
Supporters will be able to buy a set of hands even if they don’t ride snowmobiles.
Folks are also invited to enjoy the eat-all-you-can-eat chili, hamburgers and hot dogs after the ride. Cost is by donation only.
Cathy Sizemore said the event is in memory of her and Mike Sizemore’s son, James, who was killed Feb. 11, 2011, in an avalanche on nearby Sand Peak.
“Our registration building is James’ old school bus that he used to take a bunch of his friends dirt biking,” Sizemore said. “So each year since his death on President’s weekend in 2011, we have held this memorial in memory of James and his bus.”
She said the five-stop poker run helps fund two $1,000 scholarships for Meeker High School seniors – one for a male student; the other for a female student. Other funds go to assist Rio Blanco County Search and Rescue.
“It really is a great time for a couple of great causes,” Sizemore said. “It’s a lot of fun to take part in and to watch, and we welcome anyone who wishes to take part or just stop in an watch to come and join us.”