Scorpion Homecoming & Ice fishing contest 2017

February 4, 2017

Promotional Materials

• Homecoming Poster (277KB PDF)

Homecoming Overview

… where it’s not about the sleds, it’s about the people.

Join hundreds of Scorpion fans for the thirteenth annual Scorpion Homecoming & Ice Fishing Contest, brought to you by the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the Sno-Serpent Snowmobile Club.

The 2017 Scorpion Homecoming will feature all Trail-A-Sled manufactured air-sleds from the late 1950's to early 1960's. These innovative high-speed wonders set the pace in those early years, before the much smaller snowmobile gained prominence. In those formative years, Trail-A-Sled air-sleds were acclaimed for both design and practicality, winning numerous design awards - even featured on NBC's Today Show!

The agenda and tone of the event is expected to be similar to prior years. For a recap of prior events, browse the Scorpion Homecoming launch page.

Scorpion Homecoming is a casual, free and fun event. Sled registration is completely complementary. No formal provisions are being made for swap or race activities. Attendees are however encouraged to support the sponsors by purchasing a raffle ticket (excellent prizes awarded - need not be present to win), patronizing the concessionaires and purchasing the official 2017 Homecoming button.

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

Machines need not run to be displayed.

And don't forget to sport your Scorpion-themed apparel!

Need more information? Use our Contact form.

Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce - Annual Ice Fishing Contest

Come to Scorpion Homecoming 2017 and show-off your Stinger - then catch yourself a fish at the adjacent Annual Serpent Lake Ice Fishing Contest. Great prizes in several categories!

Together with Annual Ice Fishing Contest, Scorpion Homecoming is intended to be enjoyed by the whole family. The adjacent Annual Ice Fishing Contest boasts an on-ice dance contest, raffle prizes, on-ice concessions and themed fishing groups - this is a great day to celebrate Minnesota winter living! Over 1200 holes will be drilled and waiting for your line to be dropped at Noon on Saturday, February 4th. Win cash prizes for fish of all species. Even a cash prize for the smallest fish!

Enjoy cash prizes and concessions on the ice! $10 entry fee gives you one hole, plus a chance at the raffle.

Raffle Ticket PrizeS

1st – ION 8” 40V Lithium Ice Auger
2nd – Marcum VS485C Underwater Color Camera
3rd – Marcum VX1i Flasher
4th – Eskimo Quickfish 3 Insulated Portable Fishhouse
5th – One Night Stay & Play with $20 Play Cash at Grand Casino Mille Lacs or Hinckley (2 Pkgs.)

Sponsors

American Family Insurance
Anderson Brothers Construction
Care Veterinary Clinic
Christenson Agency
City of Crosby
Crosby Bar
Crosby Ironton Courier
Cuyuna Brewing Company
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
Deerwood Bank
Deerwood Technologies
Graphic Packaging International
Koop Funeral Home
Lambert Water Wells
Magnum Machining
Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union
Mixed Company A Kava House
Neighborhood National Bank
Nelson Inc.
North Country Café
Oars–N–Mine
Range Disposal
Sno-Serpent Snowmobile Club
Spalding House
Sure Construction, LLC
Timber Building Supply/Ace Hardware
The Deerstand
Unity Bank
Woodtick Inn

Homecoming Results

13TH ANNUAL CUYUNA LAKES ICE FISHING CONTEST AND SCORPION HOMECOMING ENJOYS MILD WEATHER, LARGE CROWDS AND TEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT TRAIL-A-SLED AIR-SLEDS

One hundred and ten snowmobiles were on display this past Saturday at the 13th Annual Cuyuna Lakes Ice Fishing Context and Scorpion Homecoming. Several hundred participants enjoyed the mild weather and a strong showing of feature machines, including Trail-A-Sled’s famed “airsleds” from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. (The firm was known as Trail-A-Sled, Inc. before changing it’s name to Scorpion Snowmobiles.) Ten of these extremely rare machines were on display. Built before snowmobiles became all the rage, these airsleds were a crucial early link in the evolution of snowmobiling. They were manufactured just off Serpent Lake’s west end, in the Lakeview district.

And a hearty thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make this another successful event, including: Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club, Miss Crosby-Ironton Scholarship Pageant, Antique Snowmobile Society, and numerous family and friends.

At the 3:00 PM on-ice awards ceremony, the following awards were presented:

Sno-Serpents Award: Patrick Kramer, St Augusta MN, 1972 Super Stinger 440 III
Chamber's Choice: Angie Dahn, Maple Grove MN, 1950’s aluminum airsled
C-I Royalty Award: Chuba Brothers, Emily MN, 1971 Super Stinger
Scorpion Traveler: Bert Oliva Family, Miami FL, 1913 miles
Trail-A-Sled Era – Original – Runner-Up: Charles Bachmann, Brainerd MN, 1968 Mark I
Trail-A-Sled Era – Original – First Place: Garner Family, Blaine MN, 1965 Trail-A-Sled
Trail-A-Sled Era – Restored – Runner-Up: Bog Busters, Aitkin MN, 1965 Trail-A-Sled
Trail-A-Sled Era – Restored – First Place: Tony Rolfes, Gull Lake MN, 1963 Trail-A-Sled
Scorpion Era – Original – Runner-Up: Jon Hulett, Mahtowa MN, 1980 Sting
Scorpion Era – Original – First Place: Scott Tolve, Big Lake MN, 1979 Whip TK
Scorpion Era – Restored – Runner-Up: Jason Johnson, Bell Plaine MN, 1975 Super Stinger
Scorpion Era – Restored – First Place: Doug Holicky, New Prauge MN, 1977 Massey Storm
Scorpion Custom – Runner Up: Ervin Van Heukenlom, Albany MN, 1967 Sachs
Scorpion Custom – First Place: Bob Reine, Britt MN, 1967 Scorpion Indy

Location

Crosby, Minnesota is located on the eastern edge of the Brainerd Lakes Area (115 miles north of Minneapolis, 90 miles west of Duluth, 15 miles northwest of Brainerd). Crosby's Memorial Park on the northwestern shores of Serpent Lake (Highway 210). If you are unsure of the location, check-out the map on the Homecoming launch page. Enter Memorial Park through the west-side entrance along Hwy 210, then proceed to the boat ramp where volunteers will assist you.

Announcements

Final Pre-Event Announcements

In the final days preceding the event, late-breaking announcements will be posted to this area. If you plan on attending, please check this section accordingly.

Weather Information

• 29 and cloudy. Winds SSE at 9 mph. Light snow showers in the afternoon.

Parking/Ice Conditions

• IMPORTANT ICE CONDITION & PARKING INFORMATION - TRUCKS & TRAILERS -- Event organizers strongly suggest that participants with trucks/trailers NOT park on Serpent Lake for an extended period of time. Participants with well-running snowmobiles are encouraged to forgo driving onto the ice altogether, and to instead park along near-by city streets found to the north and east of Memorial Park and to ride their snowmobiles the short distance to the on-ice display area. Easy snowmobile access to the lake is available through the park, including the boat ramp, and Cross Avenue. If necessary, trucks/trailers with good traction should be able to temporarily drive unto the ice (via Memorial Park boat ramp), unload their equipment, and then return to shore to find street-side parking. We apologize for this inconvenience. -- See clickable map below where suggested street-side parking areas are outlined in green. Snowmobile access to the lake is outlined in red. The event itself is circled in black (on Serpent Lake) and the boat ramp is noted with a blue star. Traffic control volunteers will be at the boat ramp to assist with any questions you may have. -- Remember, any and all on-ice walking, driving and parking is at your own risk!

Walking Conditions

• CAUTION! Footing for Cuyuna Lakes Annual Ice Fishing Contest & Scorpion Homecoming is expected to be rough and slippery. Sturdy boots and ice cleats are recommended.

Official 2017 Button

Details

Agenda

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ~ Set-up & Registration
• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ~ Display
• 1:00 - 2:30 PM ~ Air Sled Demonstration
• 1:30 - 2:00 PM ~ Judging
• 3:00 PM ~ Awards Presentation
• 3:15 PM ~ 4:30 PM Trail Ride
• 3:30 PM ~ 7:00 PM Open House

Feature Sleds/machines

The 2017 event will feature Trail-A-Sled manufactured air-sleds from the late 1950's to early 1960's. These innovative high-speed wonders set the pace in those early years, before the much smaller snowmobile gained prominence. In those formative years, Trail-A-Sled air-sleds were acclaimed for design and practicality, winning numerous design awards - even featured on NBC's Today Show!

Media Coverage

[Pending]

Social Media

During the event, please actively post with the hash-tag #scorpionsnowmobiles #scorpionhomecoming and check-in on Facebook under the place name "Scorpion Homecoming."

Judging

A more formalized judging process will continue for 2017. Scorpion Homecoming is independently judged by experts within the antique and vintage snowmobile hobby - the Antique Snowmobile Society (A.S.S.).

Air-sleds will NOT be judged.

Trophies

An increased number of trophies will be distributed at the 3:00 PM on-ice awards presentation, including the following categories at minimum:

• Trail-A-Sled Era, original and restored (model years 1959-1971) - First and Runner-Up for each
• Scorpion Era, original & restored (model years 1972-1981) - First and Runner-Up for each
• Scorpion Custom - First and Runner up
• Scorpion Traveler
• Chamber’s Choice
• C-I Royalty Award
• Sno-Serpent Award

Support Tent

Upon your arrival, visit the Homecoming on-ice support tent for your complimentary sled sign, commemorative button ($4), and other Scorpion merchandise. For your comfort, the support tent also doubles as a warming facility.

Merchandise

A limit amount of assorted Scorpion-related merchandise will be available within the support tent. Cash only please.

Parking and Traffic Flow

As always, on-ice driving and parking is at your own risk (ample nearby street parking is available). For your convenience, Memorial Park does have an excellent low-angle ramp to the ice surface. See the pre-event announcements section of this page for last minute information.

Display Area

A dedicated display area will be set-up adjacent to the ice fishing area on Serpent Lake just offshore from Memorial Park. Although welcome, no formal provisions are being made for swappers (and no fees are accessed). All swappers in attendance are asked to set-up around the perimeter of the display area and not within the snowmobile display lines.

A dedicated area for Trail-A-Sled air-sleds will be set-up near the display area entrance. Please place all air-sleds in the designated area.

The display area is reserved specifically for Trail-A-Sled, Scorpion and other brands directly manufactured by such. Other antique and vintage brands are welcome (but are asked to please set-up around the perimeter of the display area).

Local ride-in sleds are encouraged!

Trail Ride

Completely on-ice, this optional low-speed ride will circumnavigate Serpent Lake for approximately 8 round-trip miles. Support vehicles may not be available, so plan accordingly. Assuming safe ice conditions, the ride will proceed with or without snow. Participants below the age of 18 are subject to Minnesota's helmet law. Please have your sleds in good running condition. Vintage snowmobiles (25 years old or greater) are exempt from state license requirements while participating in this event.

Open House

Held at a world-class local collection, this event is an absolute must for Scorpion fans. Rare vintage video will be on display. Directions to the open house are available at the on-ice Homecoming booth. Complimentary snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Lodging

For lodging and dining information, see the Chamber's web site. Extensive alternative lodging is also available in the Brainerd Lakes area, generally 16 miles southwest of Crosby-Ironton on Highway 210.

Photography Disclaimer

Scorpion Homecoming is an open and active event. Your presence at the Homecoming implies consent to permit Scorpion Online to photograph, record, film or videotape your likeness and to publish it on our web site and other publications for artistic and non-commercial promotional purposes. By your presence, you agree to release Scorpion Online from any liability resulting from publication of your likeness. Requests to remove a particular picture bearing your likeness will be honored on a best efforts basis.