When Joe and Jo Poncelet hosted the tenth annual Whiz-N Day in 2014, they called it “The Final Curtain”. They also added a small notation on the bottom of the promotional material saying, “We’ll be back”. Eleven years later they made good on that promise, reviving the all-Massey Ski Whiz snowmobile show in Bellechester on February 15th.
The Bellechester couple and their friends, Steve and Sandy Miller of Atwood, MN hatched the idea and hosted the first Whiz-N Day in 2005. The show grew, each year featuring collectible items related to the Ski Whiz brand and Massey Ferguson, the company that produced them. There wasn’t always snow or favorable weather but there was always a good turnout of people and sleds. When the Poncelets bowed out of hosting, the show moved to Wisconsin but ended a couple years later.
Joe, whose father owned a dealership, is a life-long collector of all things Massey. He spent weeks bringing his sleds to town, washing and shining them up. On show day he exhibited more than 30 Ski Whiz machines, about half of his collection. In addition to the actual snowmobiles, he collects advertising, apparel, posters and unique hand-made items. Joe’s items were on display in the community center along with those of other collectors. One area featured photos and items specific to each of the past Whiz-N Day events.
The event took place right after one of the few snowfalls of the season with sunshine keeping the temperature moderate. This allowed riders to run their machines for short trips through the ditch out of Bellechester. Ski Whiz enthusiasts came from near and far including Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and even Maryland. Six of Joe’s seven siblings also attended.
Family and friends kept busy serving chili, sweet rolls, bars and other treats. A raffle was held at the end of the day for prizes including yellow snowmen hand-crafted from cheese graters and other special Whz-N Day items. Shirts were available for purchase with this year’s theme, “We’re Back” printed on them. Although the Poncelets say this was a one-time revival, time will tell.
