“We widened the track and we made the shutoff longer to allow for bigger horsepower trucks to participate,” said Andria Antonini, who is organizing the event. “We also moved the bleachers back to allow for more seating for lawn chairs.”

Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday at the George Weber Memorial Park on County N.

Admission is $15 for ages 11 and older and free for kids 10 and younger. There is a new entrance gate area and ticket booths as well. Food and refreshments will be for sale on the grounds — no carry-ins will be allowed.

Meyers-Youngell American Legion Post 211 of Florence, Wis., will conduct openings ceremonies at 11:45 a.m. They will be also have a raffle and sell poppies to raise money for a future veterans memorial park in Florence.

Andrew Mills of Florence, Wis., races his truck through the mud pit at last year’s Aurora Mud Bog. This year the 40th-annual event will be Saturday at the George Weber Memorial Park on County N. (Contributed photo)

Registration for participants is from 8 to 11 a.m. and racing starts at noon. Cost is $30 to participate. Classes include Class 1 Stock; Class 2 Super Stock; Class 3 Pro Stock; Class 4 Mod Class, no power adder; Class 5 Pro Mod, power adder allowed; Class 6 hot stock; Class 7 Mega truck; Class 8, 4 and 6 cylinder only. There is also a women’s class and two-wheel-drive open class.

Antonini took charge of the event last year after it was in danger of being discontinued. She leads a small group of dedicated volunteers who help with the event. She is no stranger to how the Mud Bog operates, as it was started by her father and some of his friends as a fundraiser for the Aurora Rescue Squad. She has been involved since she was a child and has many fond memories.

“When I think of the mud runs, I think of tradition, family, community and friends,” she said. “My own kids have been raised with this event and now they help put it on.”

Aurora Town Board President Tony McCarthy appreciates the volunteers’ efforts for the event.

“The work that’s all done here by her and her crew is just phenomenal, to bring this back into Aurora. It was kind of petering out and I think she saved it for our small community,” McCarthy said.

After the event, Bad Mother Truckers of the Green Bay, Wis.-area will provide music in the pavilion. They perform a variety of rock and some country music. Antonini said they are a fun band. There will also be fireworks.

Antonini said proceeds will go toward donations for the Pembine Little League and the Florence VFW Post 3635 for construction of their memorial building.

The Mud Bog organizers have received a lot of monetary support to help with the event, Antonini said.

“We could not do it without our sponsors and the donations from our community,” she said.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.