v Chamber's Choice: Crosby Fire Department - 1980 Scorpion TK
v Scorpion Traveler: Gale Armstrong, Eagle River Alaska
v Scorpion Modified, Runner-Up: Chris Moore, Ham Lake MN - 1971 Super Stinger
v Scorpion Modified, 1st Place: Roger Chuba, Upsala MN - 1969 Mark III
v Trail-A-Sled Era, Original, Runner-Up: Kate & Kim Ferrari, Two Harbors MN - 1970 Mark I
v Trail-A-Sled Era, Original, 1st Place: Don Nelson, Waskish MN - 1969 Mark I
v Trail-A-Sled Era, Restored, Runner-Up: Dave Gruba, McGrath MN - 1967 Drone
v Trail-A-Sled Era, Restored, 1st Place: Dave Bellefeville, Moorhead MN - 1969 Mark II
v Scorpion Era, Original, Runner-Up: Paul Husmann, Coldspring MN - 1977 Sting
v Scorpion Era, Original, 1st Place: Dave Emme, Glencoe MN - 1976 Massey Whirlwind
v Scorpion Era, Restored, Runner-Up: Wade McCoy, Alexandria MN - 1977 Whip
v Scorpion Era, Restored, 1st Place: Mark Chuba, St. Michael MN - 1977 Bullwhip
v Feature Sled (1975 Whip), Runner-Up: Shellee Thorp, St. Frances MN - 1975 Whip
v Feature Sled (1975 Whip), 1st Place: Alex Rasset, Buffalo MN - 1975 Whip

Chuck Connors Look-Alike Contest:

Grand Prize:
v Andy Luikens
Honorable Mention:
v Kevin Lehse
v Greg Flaskerud
v Mike Rasset
v Paul Pernula

Special thanks goes out this year to Holmvig Excavating (great on-ice site prep), the Iron Hub Bog Busters (trail ride), the Antique Snowmobile Society (expert judging), Range Car Wash (traffic flow), Tom Martin (KKIN Radio), and the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce. The intense efforts of several local volunteers, particularly Tim Leonard, Dwayne Jenson and Cliff Kittelson also helped to insure the event's success.

The on-ice festivities were followed by an indoor open house where complementary food, old Scorpion videos, and fascinating memorabilia were enjoyed by all.

A photo collage will be posted to this area in the days following the event.

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

Scorpion Homecoming is the largest annual event of it's kind in the world, regularly drawing large numbers of Scorpion enthusiasts from throughout the United States and Canada.

Join hundreds of former employees and Scorpion collectors for an afternoon of memories in the hometown of this proud brand. Bigger and better then ever, this year's 5th annual Scorpion Homecoming commemorates the 50th anniversary of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. Founded in 1959, Trail-A-Sled, Inc. is the firm that birthed the Scorpion snowmobile and brought us numerous early innovations in snowmobiling. In addition, the 1975 Whip and the related endorsements of Hollywood actor Chuck Connors will also be featured. As always, registration is free but attendees are encouraged to support the Chamber by purchasing commemorative buttons and other Scorpion memorabilia. All profits benefit the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce. Scorpion 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.

The Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce's fifth annual Scorpion Homecoming will be held on Saturday, February 7 on beautiful Serpent Lake, just offshore from Crosby's Memorial Park.

Highlights of the 2009 event include:

1.) A celebration of the 50 year anniversary of Trail-A-Sled, Inc.. Established in 1959, this is the Crosby-based firm that eventually became Scorpion snowmobiles. Commemorative items will be available for purchase at the event.

2.) The 1975 Whip will be the feature sled for 2009. A significant departure from previous designs, this innovative machine sported an all-aluminum tunnel, wide ski stance, para-rail suspension and forward-mounted Cuyuna engine.

3.) A more formalized judging process will be introduced for 2009. Independently judged by the Antique Snowmobile Society, trophies in the following categories will be awarded at 3:00 PM (details subject to change):

Feature Sled ~ 1975 Whip (1st & Runner-up)
Scorpion Modified ~ Custom paint, hoods, etc. Scorpion chassis required (1st & Runner-up)
Trail-A-Sled Era (model Years 1959-1971) ~ Original and restored, 1st & Runner-up
Scorpion Era (model years 1972-1981 excluding the Feature Sled) ~ Original and restored, 1st & Runner-up
Chamber's Choice ~ Picked by the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce (single award)
Scorpion Traveler ~ Furthest traveler with a snowmobile on exhibit (single award)
Connor's Award ~ Who most, "Looks Like Chuck?" (single award - must be present at the 3:00 PM award ceremony)

4.) The contributions of Hollywood actor and former Scorpion spokesperson Chuck Connors will also be noted. Chuck's promotional efforts were key to the success of the Whip. For Homecoming 2009, all attendees are encouraged to participate in an informal "Look Like Chuck" contest by sporting the western-themed apparel popularized by Chuck during his time with Scorpion. Use the photo insert found to the right as your guide (courtesy Richard Wentworth). We are looking for: cowboy hat; dark flannel shirt; blue jeans; cowboy boots; and most important (and most difficult) the now-famous blue lambs wool jacket! A complementary memento will be provided to anyone who shows-up with, at minimum, a cowboy hat, jeans, and western-themed jacket (stop-by the on-ice support tent). To further assist you to "look like Chuck," a short video featuring his now-famous cowboy hat and lambs wool jacket may be found at the top of this page (along with video clips from his fabulous television series, The Rifleman). Additional videos of Chuck's Scorpion days may be found here and several still shots may be found on these pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6.

The Homecoming has become an annual ritual for Scorpion collectors and 2009 promises to be a very special event. Make plans to attend now.

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, Homecoming 2007 or Homecoming 2008.

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 Chamber by purchasing a raffle ticket (excellent prizes awarded  need not be present to win), patronizing the concessionaires and purchasing the official 2009 Homecoming button.

Event Poster

Exclusive Products

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.

Begin now making plans to attend this exciting event. If you plan on attending the event, please aid the Chamber's planning by sending us an Email to the following address:

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 1975 Whip, please tell us about it.

And don't forget to sport either your Chuck Connors styled western wear or if you prefer, Scorpion-themed apparel from any era.

Need more information? Contact us at the following Email address:

AGENDA

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ~ Set-up & Registration
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ~ Display
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

SUPPORT TENT

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

All profits benefit the Chamber of Commerce. Please support the event by purchasing these wonderful items! Cash only please.

PARKING & TRAFFIC FLOW

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. On-site traffic coordination provided courtesy Range Car Wash (Bob Heath and Mark Filas). 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 1975 Whips will be set-up near the display area entrance. Please place all 1975 Whips (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).

Windows Live Map: Memorial Park, Crosby, MN 56441

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.