2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Scorpion Homecoming Benefits from Great Weather

Just over 200 home-grown Scorpions were found on Serpent Lake this past Saturday for the 19th Annual Cuyuna Lakes Ice Fishing Contest and Scorpion Homecoming. In addition to those attending the ice fishing contest, large numbers of Scorpion fans rode-in on their favorite machines for the three-hour meet-up. Several swappers were also on hand, to buy and sell parts for the ever-collectable Scorpion brand. The Scorpion Traveler award went to gentleman who came all the way from Red Lodge, Montana, to attend the event. With pleasant temperatures and light winds, it was a perfect day to celebrate Cuyuna Lake’s snowmobile heritage. Shout-out to all Scorpion fans who came-out to show-off their machines and swap stories.

Special thanks to the many people and organizations who made this annual event possible, including the Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club (Rob Geske, Mark Johnson, John Taylor, Duey Erlien) and the Antique Snowmobile Society (both of which went above and beyond, for the event). Also, a big-time shout-out to the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce (Aubrey Koop, Kelcie Quiel) for their enthusiastic support from day-one. Kudos to The Hudson for open house beverage services. And lastly, a big thumbs-up to Randy Domin and Tom Hallin for snowplowing services.

At the 3:00 PM ceremony, twenty awards were presented, in the following categories.

Honorary Awards

- Sno-Serpent Award, Gary Herem, Red Lodge MT, 1970 Stinger

- Chamber’s Choice, Kirk Anderson, Crosby MN, 1967 Bulldog

- Scorpion Traveler, Gary Herem, Red Lodge MT, 1970 Stinger

- Eileen Harrison Memorial Award, Jamie Sletten, Lakeville MN, 1973 Stingerette

Era Awards

Trail-A-Sled Original

- Runner Up, Matt Mattich, Brainerd MN, 1971 Super Stinger

- 1st Place, Gary Herem, Red Lodge MT, 1970 Stinger

Trail-A-Sled Restored

- Runner Up, Chip & Donna Nelson, Maple Grove MN, 1970 Mark II

- 1st Place, Tom Deer, Elko MN, 1970 340SS

Scorpion Original

- Runner Up, Alex McCathem, Lakeville MN, 1973 Super Stinger

- 1st Place, Matt Mattich, Brainerd MN, 1977 Bull Whip

Scorpion Restored

- Runner Up, Jamie Sletten, Lakeville MN, 1973 Super Stingerette

- 1st Place, Tom Besch, Kasson MN, 1980 Sting

Custom

- Runner Up, Kirk Anderson, Crosby MN, 1967 J292

- 1st Place, Terry Nies, Aitkin MN, TRX

Feature Sleds (TK/TKX)

- Honorable Mention, Andy Hall, Butterfield MN

- Honorable Mention, Shawn Franzen, Crosby MN

- Honorable Mention, Brent Herges, Milaca MN

- 3rd Place, Kevin Mikkelson, Corcoran MN

- 2nd Place, Matt Mattich, Brainerd MN

- 1st Place, Jake Steinhofer, Brooton MN

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Rocket Rides

Scorpion Homecoming 2023

Numerous attendees waited for an opportunity to ride in a classic 1959 Trail-A-Sled, piloted by co-founder Dick Harrison. A rare treat, indeed.

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Dream Team!

Scorpion Homecoming 2023

A group of attendees sporting original Stingerette-themed fashion, in iconic “midnight sun magenta.”

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Presenting, our 2023 award winners!

Scorpion Homecoming 2023

L/R: Tom Besch, Kirk Anderson, Zaedyn Anderson, Matt Mattich, Clint Nelson, Jake Steinhofer, Tom Deer, Andy Hall, Kevin Mikkelson, Alex McCathem, Shawn Franzen, Terry Nies, Gary Herem. Not pictured: Brent Herges, Jamie Sletten

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Highlights – Scorpion Homecoming 2023

In a single photo, a good representation of what Scorpion Homecoming is all about.

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Morning Update

Homecoming Morning!

A few final reminders regarding today’s event.

The Homecoming display area is set-up roughly 200 yards to the E/SE of the boat ramp at Crosby’s Memorial Park. Look for the Scorpion flags. The Ice Fishing Contest is adjacent to the south.

As always, we recommend you park along near-by streets and ride your sleds to the display area. There is also a large amount of plowed parking found within the boat ramp and campground areas (thank you City of Crosby).

On the ice, an access road to the display area has been plowed from the boat ramp and a limited amount of on-ice parking has also been cleared on the north side of the display area. This area may fill-up, depending upon turn-out. Outside of plowed areas, the snow-pack is deep and may be impassible for certain vehicles. All on-ice parking and access is at your own risk.

Temperatures will hover around 30F for most of the event, so enjoy the relative warmth today!

Support the event and the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce by buying a button!

Scorpion Homecoming is an informal meetup. Attend at your own risk.

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #ScorpionSnowmobiles #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Jan, Schedule - Scorpion Homecoming 2023

All Scorpions, as well as Scorpion-manufactured brands are welcome, including Trail-A-Sled, Sno-Ro, Sears, Sno-Craft, Brut and Massey-Ferguson.

Scorpion Homecoming is an informal meetup. Attend at your own risk.

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #ScorpionSnowmobiles #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Jan, Alaskan Endurance Ride of 1967

This rare banner from 1968 depicts the epic Alaskan Endurance Ride that occurred in February of 1967. In that month, three men (with no support system of any kind) traveled 3,800 miles from the Trail-A-Sled, Inc. factory in Crosby, Minnesota to Anchorage, Alaska – solely upon Scorpion snowmobiles. Trail-A-Sled, Inc. provided the machines (stock 1967 model Scorpions) and bright-red company-branded snowmobile suits. Braving extreme conditions, including blizzards, Chinook winds and –70° windchills, the trio pressed onward while hundreds of well-wishers and dignitaries encouraged them along the way. In several instances the group was forced to travel several hundred miles, in a single day.

Finishing without a break-down was a shock to some, but the success of the ride did much to bolster the young firm’s reputation. The Alaskan adventure helped to put Minnesota’s Cuyuna Range on the map as a snowmobile powerhouse, and was widely covered by the international media. Completely unprecedented for its time, the adventure was a public relations coupe and became the cornerstone of the following year’s marketing campaign … “Scorpion, The Proven Snowmobile.” And the company’s unique patented rubber track was now, a proven winner. Sir Edmund Hillary (conqueror of Mount Everest) was so impressed that he chose Scorpion snowmobiles for his upcoming expedition to the Antarctic.

Pictured also is one of the three Scorpions, piloted by Duane Parks. Well worn, but still intact, 57 years later!

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile. @scorpionsleds #ScorpionSnowmobiles

2023 Jan, Scorpion Homecoming

Homecoming Button

Your official Scorpion Homecoming button for 2023. Just $5 and available day-of only, Saturday February 4, 2023. Stop-by our red, on-ice warming tent, Noon to 3:00 PM (cash only please). All profits benefit the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

The Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce Annual Ice Fishing Contest and Scorpion Homecoming, an annual gathering of Scorpion fans and ice fishing enthusiasts, since 2005.

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Scorpion Snowmobiles and Trail-A-Sled, Inc. homegrown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion snowmobile. @scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes #scorpionhomecoming #scorpionsnowmobiles #cuyunalakes #cuyunalakescontest

2023 Jan, 29th Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous

29th Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous

Record-setting turnout (300+ machines) and a good showing of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion machines, including models the firm manufactured for Sears Roebuck, Brainerd Marine, Massey Ferguson and Polaris Industries – all made in Crosby-Ironton, MN. Shout-out to the Pequot Lakes Brush Pilots for another great show! #scorpionsnowmobiles