- Scorpion Spirit: The person or group who through their on-ice display of Scorpion snowmobiles, apparel, memorabilia and over-all presentation, exhibits an unusual high degree of Scorpion spirit.
- Scorpion Horde: Defined as "a large crowd or group," the Horde award goes to the group with the largest combination of people and Scorpions.
- Scorpion Traveler: The individual or group who traveled the farthest to attend this year's Homecoming.
- Chamber's Choice: Personal favorite as judged by the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce.
- People's Choice: Crowd favorite as determined by ballots contributed by the general public.
- Peer's Choice: The personal favorite on among those persons displaying machines at this year's Homecoming.
MILDER WEATHER BOOSTS HOMECOMING ATTENDANCE
Crosby, Minn. - February 2, 2008
| Photo Highlights - Scorpion Homecoming 2008 |
| Video Highlights - Scorpion Homecoming 2008 |
| Want to see this event continue? Send us an email and tell us about it! |
Benefiting from mild weather conditions, Scorpion Homecoming attendance was double the amount of last year’s tally. Spread along four neat rows, two hundred Scorpion snowmobiles were presented for public display between Noon and 3:00 PM. Included in this year’s event was a featured snowmobile, the semi-racing 1970 Stinger, twenty two of which were proudly shown. The rows of red metal-fleck Stingers made for a particularly handsome pose.
The festive atmosphere was infectious, with many of the participants
preparing their own meals on site – a veritable tailgating party on ice!
Given the continued interest, a repeat event in February of 2009 appears
likely, with a feature sled of the 1975 Whip being planned. A theme of
“5 & 50” is likely, given 2009 would be the Scorpion Homecoming’s five
year anniversary, and more importantly the fifty year anniversary of the
founding of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. the firm that eventually become Scorpion
Snowmobiles.
The event included a rousing awards presentation, with numerous trophies
presented in several categories, including:
Scorpion Spirit – Awarded to groups displaying the most fan spirit.
• Runners Up: Dave Gruba, McGrath MN; Moose Lake Scorpion Club, Moose Lake MN;
and the Iron Hub Bog Busters, Aitkin MN
• First Place: Antique Snowmobile Society, Cohasset MN
Scorpion Horde – Combined total of sleds and people.
• Runner Up: With a combined total of 22, the Antique Snowmobile Society, Cohasset
MN
• First Place: With a combined total of 52, the Iron Hub Bog Busters, Aitkin MN
Scorpion Traveler – Attendee traveling the furthest distance.
• Runner Up: Paul Kareney, St Peter, MN traveling 205 miles
• First Place: Jerry Eve of Forsyth, MT traveling 665 miles
Chamber’s Choice
• Runner-up: Ray Arnold’s 1970 Stinger, Moose Lake, MN
• First Place: Dave Gruba’s 1967 4-cyclinder drone, McGrath, MN
Peoples Choice
• Runner-up: Iron Hub Bog Busters, 1965 Trail-A-Sled Scorpion
• First Place: Chelsea Holmvig, 1971 Mark II Scorpion
Peer’s Choice
• Runner-up: Chelsea Holmvig, 1971 Mark II Scorpion
• First Place: Iron Hub Bog Busters, 1965 Trail-A-Sled Scorpion
Numbering well over 100 scorpions, a large on-ice trail ride was led by
the Iron Hub Bog Busters of Aitkin, Minnesota. Traffic flow assistance
was provided by Range Car Wash. The intense efforts of several local
volunteers, particularly Tim Leonard, Dwayne Jenson and Cliff Kittelson
helped to insure the event's success.
Machines of particular note this year included two Quad Tracs and a 4-cylinder drone of the same configuration used to set a world jumping record in 1967.
The on-ice festivities were followed by an indoor open house where complementary food, old Scorpion videos, and fascinating memorabilia were enjoyed by all.
Numerous media were on hand to cover the event, including the St. Croix Valley Dog Dish, the Crosby-Ironton Courier, the Brainerd Dispatch, the Antique and Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada, the Antique Snowmobile Club of America, the Antique Snowmobile Society, and the world’s premier snowmobile publication, Snow Goer.
Featured Images:Recent may be found here: 1 | 2
|
POST-EVENT MEDIA COVERAGE |
| Renee Richardson of the Brainerd Dispatch penned an exceptional recap of the event as well as capturing are large number of fascinating Homecoming images in a WeSpotted feature. Note, you may be required to register before viewing these files but it is well worth the effort. |
| A link to the the Antique and Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada's first-hand article will be posted here when it becomes available. |
| A Homecoming 2008 feature story is planned for Snow Goer magazine. Look for publication in late 2008. Additional details will be posted here as they become available. |
| The Crosby-Ironton Courier, in it's February 6, 2008 edition described the event as follows, "Over 200 vintage Scorpions lined the shores of Serpent Lake last Saturday, allowing people to see sleds made at the snowmobile manufacturing company that put Crosby on the map. The 1970 Stinger was the feature sled at this year's Scorpion Homecoming, which seems to be drawing bigger crowds of owners and onlookers every year." |
PRE-EVENT INFORMATION
| Scorpion Homecoming is the largest annual event of it's kind in the world! |
|
Join hundreds of former employees and Scorpion collectors for an afternoon of memories in the hometown of this proud brand. Bigger and better than ever, the fourth annual Homecoming features more prizes, more Scorpion merchandise and a complementary certificate for every feature sled ... the fabulous 1970 Stinger! As always, registration is free but attendees are encouraged to support the Chamber event by purchasing commemorative buttons and other Scorpion memorabilia. All profits benefit the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce. Homecoming is held in conjunction with the Chamber's long-standing ice fishing contest on beautiful Serpent Lake - just offshore from Crosby's Memorial Park. |
|
|
|
Scorpion Homecoming regularly draws large numbers of Scorpion enthusiasts from throughout the United States and Canada. |
Planning for the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce's fourth annual Scorpion Homecoming is now finalized for 2008. Once again held in conjunction with the Chamber's venerable Ice Fishing Contest, the Homecoming will be held the first Saturday of February ~ February 2, 2008.
Lots of changes are expected for 2008, with more trophies and more
cool Scorpion merchandise. This year's feature sled will be the 1970
Stinger - bring one and receive a complementary certificate!
The agenda and tone of the event is expected to be similar to prior
years. For a recap of prior events, browse
Homecoming 2005,
Homecoming 2006 or Homecoming 2007.
Scorpion Homecoming is a casual, free and fun event. Sled
registration is completely complementary. No formal judging will be conducted. No formal provisions are being made for
swap or race activities. Attendees are however encouraged to support
the Chamber by purchasing a raffle ticket (excellent prizes awarded
need not be present to win), patronizing the concessionaires and
purchasing the 2008 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. For safety reasons,
propeller-driven air-sleds will NOT be operated during the event.
Several changes in the awards structure are expected for 2008 so
check this area for the latest information.
|
BREAKING 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. |
| This year's event will garner plenty of media coverage. Not only will the Crosby-Ironton Courier and Brainerd Dispatch be in attendance, but the world's leading snowmobile magazine, Snow Goer will also be covering the event. |
| This year's trail ride will be lead by a large contingent from the Iron Hub Bog Busters snowmobile club. |
| Traffic control staff will be in place at the Memorial Park boat ramp to assist you with drop-off and parking information. Conditions are favorable for parking on the ice but such is always at your own risk. Ample curbside parking is available nearby. When you arrive, drop-off your sleds as directed then move-on please. Be sure to check-in at the support tent for complementary sled registration. Note that the Memorial Park boat ramp provides excellent low-grade access to the lake. |
|
Final
details of this year's awards presentation have been
announced. Awards will be presented in the following
categories: |
| Central Minnesota's Brainerd Dispatch has published an excellent preview of this event. Click here to read the story. |
| Radio interviews promoting the Homecoming are planned as follows |
|
The official product-line for this year's Homecoming Store has just been released. New additions this year include beanies (available in both red and black) and two sizes of stunning Scorpion checkered flags. All products are commercial quality. Quantities are limited. No rain checks or returns. All profits benefit the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce. Be prepared, click here for a detailed listing, including pricing. |
| Informal judging for the Chamber's Choice and Scorpion Spirit awards will occur between 2:00 and 2:30 PM. |
| If you bring a 1970 Stinger, be sure to place it in the separate display area. |
| It is common for persons to attend both the Homecoming and participate in the adjacent ice fishing contest. Click here to learn more about the ice fishing component. |
| Scorpion Trails wishes to thank the following persons or organizations who help to make this event a success: the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce - Johnna Johnson; Range Car Wash - Bob Heath and Mark Filas (traffic control); Oars-n-Mine - Roger Healy; the Iron Hub Bog Busters (trail-ride); Dennis Kutz of ScorpsRUs, the on-ice site-prep crew (Tim Leonard, Dwayne Jenson, Cliff Kittelson); the support tent staff (Michael Groves, Ashton Terry, Paula Traylor); the Open House crew (Judy Frink, Jackie Cluff, Pat Northburg, Darlene Winegarner, Kara Groves) and the Harrison family. |
Begin now making plans to attend this exciting event. If you plan on attending the event, please aid the Chamber's planning by clicking here to send us an email. In the body of the email please indicate the following: last name; hometown; number of persons attending; number of sleds you plan on bringing; and your status (e.g. collector, former racer, employee). In addition, if you plan on bringing a 1970 Stinger, please tell us about it.
|
Event Poster |
 |
|
Featured Products |
 |
 |
| Stinger Certificate |
 |
AGENDA
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ~ Set-up & Registration
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ~ Display
3:00 PM ~ Awards
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM ~ Trail Ride
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM ~ Open House
SUPPORT TENT
Upon your arrival, visit the Homecoming on-ice support tent for your sled sign,
peer's choice ballots, and Scorpion merchandise. For your comfort, the support tent also doubles as a
warming facility.
A peer's choice ballot
will be provided for each Scorpion displayed.
All profits benefit the
Chamber of
Commerce. Please support the event by purchasing these wonderful
items! Cash only please. And don't forget to sport your Scorpion apparel!
PARKING & TRAFFIC FLOW
Details are pending. On-site traffic coordinators are expected. As always, on-ice driving and parking is at
your own risk (ample nearby street parking is always available). For
your convenience, Memorial Park does have an excellent low-angle
ramp to the lake. See the Breaking 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 1970 Stingers will be set-up near the display
area entrance. Please place all 1970 Stingers (regardless of
condition) in this 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!
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).
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. 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.
