Rome Sno-Bandits Recognized as Club of the Year

The Rome Sno-Bandits Snowmobile Club was recently recognized as “Snowmobile Club of the Year” at the State, National and International levels.

In June of 2021, the Rome Sno-Bandits submitted an application to Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) for “Club of the Year”. This award recognizes clubs that go above and beyond, demonstrate a deep commitment to the sport of snowmobiling, are involved and are striving to make the sport safe and enjoyable for the future. The AWSC is the legislative voice for Wisconsin's snowmobilers and 600-plus snowmobile clubs statewide. In August of 2021, the Sno-Bandits were notified that we were selected as the “Club of the Year”. We were presented with a plaque at the AWSC Fall Workshop Banquet on October 23rd, 2021 at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

The AWSC then submitted our application to the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) to be considered for “Club of the Year” at the National level. ACSA is a national organization uniting the snowmobile community and promoting snowmobiling as a safe, fun and environmentally friendly family sport. Our club was notified in May of 2022 that we won this prestigious award and would be presented with it at International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) in Dubuque Iowa on June 11th, 2022.  Every year during June, snowmobile enthusiasts, manufacturers, suppliers, and representatives from state, provincial and national snowmobile organizations from around the world meet to celebrate the sport and to conduct the business of snowmobiling. Representatives at this event form the International Snowmobile Council (ISC), which meets annually at the International Snowmobile Congress (also called ISC). Several Rome Sno-Bandits board members we able to attend ISC and accept this award on behalf of our club.

While accepting our National Club of the Year Award from ACSA, our club was surprised with the news that we were being named the International Club of the Year. As a result of that award, we will be inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held at Eagle Waters Resort in Eagle River, WI on the weekend of September 16th, 2022.

“Our club members should be extremely proud of these awards and all the hard work and dedication they have put into making this club what it is! Now the whole world knows what I have known for a long time. The Rome Sno-Bandits are the best Snowmobile Club in the WORLD,” said club president, Tom Warner.

Our club is located in the Town of Rome in Northern Adams County. We maintain appropriately 35 miles of trails and have over 200 club members. We realize the importance of well-marked trails to keep everyone safe and we take pride in how well-maintained & signed our trails are every year.

Our club has been active for over 50 years. It started in the late 1960’s when about eight couples from the Rome area decided to form a club.  They called themselves the Bentley Hillbillies Snowmobile Club. As the sport and the club grew, it was decided to change the name of the club to the Rome Sno-Bandits.

In 2020, our club and the Town of Rome were recognized as a Snowmobile Friendly Community by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC). This award recognizes and celebrates the partnership between our club and community and how we work together to promote safe snowmobiling, community involvement, and enhance tourism, while showcasing snowmobiling as a positive activity in our community. Our club proudly displays “Snowmobile Friendly Town” signs at the main entrances to our town.

Our club is not just a snowmobile club. We are recognized as a premier civic organization in our area. This comes from being deeply committed to serving our community through volunteering, hosting community events and donating to several local charities and organizations. We promote and support our local businesses.

In 2021, we donated funds to the Rome Fire Department for the purchase of rescue equipment that will aid with remote snowmobile and ATV rescues. We also held a collaborative mock snowmobile crash to help with training for remote rescue. 

In 2022, we donated funds to the Rome Police Department to assist with the purchase of a UTV that will be used for patrolling. We also donate to several local charities and this year we will award our 1st scholarship in conjunction with the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs.

Our club is part of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. The Rome Sno-Bandits applied to adopt a busy section of highway in our town in August of 2012. We conduct pick up in the spring and fall of each year. As a club, we feel that it is important to give back to our community for the support they have provided us over the years. We take pride in helping to keep the Town of Rome looking great!

Our club co-hosts Christmas in Rome with the Romemakers HCE every year at Christmas time. We decorate our town’s main intersection along with providing trees for local businesses to decorate. We offer hayrides through our town’s park and have caroling by candlelight. Santa, played by our club’s trail boss, arrives by fire truck. The children enjoy hot chocolate and treats while visiting with Santa. Santa is assisted by an Elf, played by our past club secretary. Our club works hard with the Romemakers HCE to make this a fun event for our community.

Each year, we partner with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department Recreation Officer & local DNR Warden in teaching DNR Snowmobile Safety Classes. We also hold an informal adult safety class and invite our local Sheriff, Police Department and Fire Department to speak on safety, review regulations and answer questions.

Our club holds two primary fundraiser each year. The Rome Classic Car, Bike and Snowmobile Show is held in June and in January we hold our Petenwell Palooza Ice Fisheree. Both events are well attended by our community.

If you are interested in joining our club, the International Snowmobile Club of the Year, applications are available on our website, RomeSnoBandits.com and at club meetings. Club meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month, September through June, at 9:00 am at the Rome Town Hall. For more information contact RomeSnoBandits@gmail.com.

Submitted by

Melissa Rhodes

Rome Sno-Bandits Secretary