Artful entries succeed in annual Snowbox Derby

      For the ninth consecutive year, the Snowbox Derby was a success at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.
      Showing off their creativity with cardboard, paint, tape and glue, 78 contestants made the trek to Mount Charleston's Lee Canyon on Jan. 24, while more than 500 spectators watched the 2 1/2-hour event.
      "As usual, I was amazed by some of the entries," said Tom Warden, who introduced the event to Southern Nevada when he was a news anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8. "The attention to detail and creativity was amazing once again. It was great family fun, as it has been in the past."
      Warden, the public-information officer for Clark County, created the idea in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1984. After moving the event to Boston when he transferred jobs, he did the same when he arrived in Las Vegas.
      Warden and evening-news anchor Gary Waddell were the event's official emcees.
      "The volunteer effort has also been tremendous," Warden said. "It requires an army of volunteers to make the event a success each year."
      Unfortunately, Warden said, the turnout was not as good as in the past, possibly because of a 1997 snowstorm that dropped about an inch of snow on the mountain.
      "I thought that might have had an affect on the turnout," he said, "but it was still pretty good. Everyone seemed to have a good time."
      Each year, the Snowbox Derby benefits the YMCA of Southern Nevada's "Yes to Youth" program, which promotes positive learning and recreation opportunities for at-risk kids.
      KLAS and Green Valley Grocery co-sponsored the event, which raised nearly $20,000.
      Customary corporate entries that benefited the event this year included American Screen Printing, Tropicana Hotel, PT's Pub, Tap House, The Mirage and J.D. Construction.
      "The challenge of the Snowbox Derby has always been to increase the amount of money raised," Warden said. "We don't charge any admission for the people to enjoy the day, so the only way we raise money is through the entrants themselves and their pledges."
      Winners from the Most Pledges category were: Westley Hrolicka's Snow King ($425), Jacob Daniell's Sky Pilot ($416) and Robert and Matthew Tilaro ($400) in the Youth Division; Leo Yoda's Teamspeed ($90), Joe Gambino's Krazy Karpenters ($80) and Carlos Salcedo's Gonzo ($70) in the Adult Division; J.D. Construction ($3,327), American Screen Printing ($2,200) and Johnnie Walker R.V.'s ($1,010) in the Corporate Division.
      In the Speed Category, winners in the Youth Division were Brett Coffers' Sudden Impact (9.4 seconds), Cody Volk's Little Rascals (10.69) and Jared Neifeld's Mystery Machine (10.72); In the Adult Division, winners were James Cloud's Gone Fishing (7.55), Joe Gambino's Midnite Thunder (8.45) and Kathi St. Clair's Women In Black (9.55).
      The Creativity Division winners were as follows: In the Youth Division, Great Outdoors took first, Snow King came in second and Jeep 1 took third; Batgirl Bike claimed the title in the Adult Division, with Zipper and Mach 6 taking second and third respectively; Corporate Division winners were Arizona Charlie's (1st), Mirage Hotel (2nd) and Scenic Airlines (3rd).
      Anyone interested in the Snowbox Derby can call 391-3983.