For everyone who believes that the city of Chicago offers something for everyone, this past weekend was proof.  On Saturday, I was interrupted from my studies by a friend who was down at the historic Wrigley field.  He was on his way to attempt the infamous Lucky’s Sandwich Challenge (A daunting task that not even he could complete) and was brought right past the stadium.  He called to spontaneously inform me about an event we would be witnessing later that night.

Just off the Addison stop sits the heralded Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.  Today, though, baseball was not being played.  The millions of people who visit Wrigley every year to watch Cubs baseball would have been taken aback at what they saw.  In fact, almost anyone would be taken aback.  That is because the outer-limits of Wrigley field had become a playground for snowmobiles.
Yes.  It was a chilly 50 degree day in early November in Chicago, but there was certainly no snow on the ground.  What there was, though, was multiple 25-foot tall mound of dirt covered by a rubber tread.  This tread became the launching pad for 450 pounds snowmobiles.  In addition to these mounds were tall ramps that sent snow machines and their riders 50+ feet in the air, giving the rider just enough time to show off a trick or flip the machine.  As the fearless riders propelled themselves into the air, the crowd cheered for them in excitement, but mostly in awe.  This was the Red Bull Fuel+Fury freestyle Snowmobile Competition.
I had never seen such a sight.  Eight riders from around the world were flipping and spinning large snowmobiles outside of Wrigley Field to the dismay of all observers.  Occasionally there were close calls, and in one instance a rider flipped off the vehicle upon landing, but wound up being okay.  The best part about the evening (besides experiencing something entirely new, and of course, the Red Bull) was the free admission.  On a college budget, nothing beats free, and this event did not disappoint.  In terms of bang for the buck, this event ranks up there with $5 Broadway Lion King tickets and $10 Blackhawk tickets.
So, for all of those snowmobile buffs, or all those who like extreme sports, or even all of those who like adrenaline rushes, make sure to remember that Chicago can and will provide.
For the record, Daniel Bodin won the competition and received his trophy from the great Cub, Ernie Banks.

The photo in this picture was taken by student Brian Bafaro.