The third-annual Stomp the Snow, a free family snowshoe event, is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain. The event is organized by the Family Snowshoe Charity Association. Board members display some of the new snowshoes they purchased with a Dickinson Area Community Foundation grant, and the fire pit that was donated by RC Fabricators. The large snowshoe cutout will be part of Hardcore Outfitters’ snowshoe give-away the day of the event. Details on how to win will be posted on Facebook. Board members from left are Pat Wender; Jessica Zeuske, secretary; Diane Blaskowski; Beth Linn, vice president; Wendy Wender; Jean O’Dette, president; and Paula Hogberg, marketing. Not shown is treasurer Patti Carollo. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The third-annual lantern-lit family snowshoe walk Stomp the Snow will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain.

This free event, open to people of all abilities, is organized through the Family Snowshoe Charity Association, a non-profit group formed to promote snowshoeing while supporting local charities.

“This year’s event partners will be the Moving Mountains Adaptive Program and Kingsford Area Little League,” board member Wendy Wender said. “Their volunteers help set up, facilitate and clean up after the event. Without their volunteer labor, we would not be able to host such a big event.”

The four loops will have more than 200 lanterns, with the course starting at the tunnel of lights sponsored by Mande Insurance & Investment Solutions and Edelweiss Coffee.

Aurora Liquors is sponsoring the half-mile loop, LiUNA Local 1329 sponsored the 1-mile loop and the 1.75-mile loop is being sponsored by Superior Title & Abstract Agency, a division of Bay Title.

Early participants will receive a glow stick compliments of Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson.

Marshfield is sponsoring a flat glow trail that will be illuminated with lanterns and glow wands.

“We encourage you to be creative and glow, but if you forget, we will have a limited supply at the new Welcome Center sponsored by Enbridge,” board treasurer and trail coordinator Patti Carollo added.

The event will also include photo opportunities at the DTE Meteor Show and the Jon Lasater State Farm Insurance Selfie Stations.

Jacobson Heating is sponsor of the Frosty Fun kids games area.

Participants can warm up at the Town & Country Sales and Peninsula Title fire pits.

41 Lumber and Erickson’s Jewelers will provide hot cocoa and s’mores at the Tasty Treat Stations. Northern Interstate Bank will sponsor the Magical Cocoa Station, which is near the intersection of the 1- and 1.75-mile loops.

Participants can even rest at the OPG Stars and Snowflakes Sitting Site, which offers a view of the lights of downtown Iron Mountain.

Stomp the Snow gained a few new sponsors this year.

The Iron Mountain-Kingsford Zonta Club is sponsoring the warming stables.

Dickinson County Title will sponsor the magical gong, and B&B Electric and IncredibleBank are teaming up to sponsor the roaming Yetis.

Emplify by Bellin will provide Patriot Pack hand warmers at the Welcome Center.

“Each year we use participants’ feedback and try to make the experience even better,” board vice president Beth Linn said. “There are other surprises at the event, but you need to come to find out.”

Many local businesses and individuals sponsored lanterns on the trails as well. Signs will be hung below each light. Some promoted their business while others are in memory of a loved ones.

A few lantern sponsorships are still available; however, the deadline is noon Friday, secretary Jessica Zeuske said.

Board member Diane Blaskowski encourages everyone to stop after snowshoeing at the Pine Grove Country Clubhouse, which will have food and drinks. PGCC will have an all-you-can-eat pasta and pizza bar for $12 for adults, $8 for ages 3 to 10 and free for those younger than 3.

Pine Grove will also bring back their specialty adult beverages and show football games on the big screens.

“If you never snowshoed before and always wanted to try, this event is for you,” board member Pat Wender said. “For those who do not own snowshoes, I will be near the Welcome Center ready to help you.”

Wender added that thanks to a grant from the Dickinson County Community Foundation and matched by the Pashow Family, the event will have more than 60 pairs of adult and kids snowshoes participants can borrow.

She also reminded people that the DTN group established a snowshoe lending library at the Dickinson County Library that can be checked out at any time and especially for this event. Anyone interested can contact the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain for more information.

With support from the Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area, they received marketing funds to help cover costs for a video production of this year’s event.

Paula Hogberg, marketing coordinator, noted that representatives from AVIDEO will be filming and talk to participants about their experience.

“We are very excited to have this opportunity to showcase our beautiful area,” she said.

Because of the generosity of the local community, Family Snowshoe Charity Association can make this a free event and still raise funds for other local non-profit groups.

“Our goal is that not only will the two non-profit groups benefit, but also the participants, local hotels, gas stations, restaurants and retail stores will benefit from the people we will bring into our community,” board president Jean O’Dette said. “This is a fun family and friends activity.”

Major sponsors include First National Bank & Trust, Pine Grove Country Club, M.J. Electric, Bacco Construction and Radio Results Network.

For more information, go to the Stomp The Snow’s Facebook page or email StompTheSnow@hotmail.com.