Scorpion Trails : Homecoming : 2011

POST-EVENT SUMMARY

Improved weather and a popular feature snowmobile benefit Scorpion Homecoming

A pleasant break in the weather greeted the several hundred Scorpion faithful who descended upon Crosby’s Memorial Park for this year’s festivities. Celebrating seven years running, Scorpion Homecoming 2011 featured the Super Stinger of 1974 and 1975. Area residents may remember that era, when Chuck Connors of “The Rifleman” served as company spokesperson, and over four hundred individuals worked at the Crosby-Ironton manufacturing campus. Twenty-eight of these classic Super Stingers were on proud display in a variety of original colors.

In total, 178 Scorpions were neatly presented for all to enjoy for the afternoon. Lakeland Public Television was also present for on-ice interviews and highlights of the 3:00 PM awards ceremony.

A warm thank you to the many local volunteers who contributed to the success of the event, including: Holmvig Excavation and Tim Leonard (snow plowing); Antique Snowmobile Society (expert judging); Johanna Johnson, Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce (event planning and coordination); Sno-Serpents (display grooming); Bob Heath (traffic control), Crosby-Ironton Courier; Lakeland Public Television; KKIN; WJJY; and Dwayne Jensen.

Award winners were as follows:

Cuyuna Lakes Chamber’s Choice: Kevin Woeste, 1979 Sting; Scorpion Traveler: Smith family, Westphalia, MI (801 miles); Scorpion Custom, runner-up: Chris Moore, 1972 Stinger II, Ham Lake, MN; Scorpion Custom, first-place: Scorpion Sales & Service, 1970 Stinger, Star Prairie, WI; Trail-A-Sled Era Original, runner-up: Mark Lindberg, 1971 Super Stinger 793, Crosby, MN; Trail-A-Sled Era Original, first place: Andy Rote, 1970 Mark III, Pine City, MN; Trail-A-Sled Era Restored, runner-up: Paul Pernula, 1966 Trail-A-Sled, Brainerd, MN; Trail-A-Sled Era Restored, first place: David Rote, 1966 Trail-A-Sled, Askov, MN; Scorpion Era Original, runner-up: Doug Tremain, 1974 Stinger 290, Duluth, MN; Scorpion Era Original, first place: Scorpion Sales & Service, 1973 Super Stinger, Star Prairie, WI; Scorpion Era Restored, runner-up: Chuba Brothers, 1977 Bull Whip; Scorpion Era Restored, first place: Kevin Woeste, 1979 Stinger, St. Cloud, MN; Feature Sled, runner-up: Kevin Ahlm, 1974 Super Stinger 290, Annandale, MN; Feature Sled, runner-up: Blake Wymer, 1975 Super Stinger, New Prague, MN; Feature Sled, first place: Don Peterson, 1974 Super Stinger, Deerwood, MN

The event concluded with a trail ride around Serpent Lake and an open house.

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

The Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual Scorpion Homecoming will be held on Saturday, February 5 on beautiful Serpent Lake, just offshore from Crosby's Memorial Park.

The famed Super Stinger design of 1974 and 1975 will be featured (any color, any displacement). Let's paint Serpent Lake in a sea of varied Super Stinger colors!

A more formalized judging process will continue for 2011. Independently judged by the Antique Snowmobile Society, trophies in several categories will be awarded at 3:00 PM.

The Homecoming has become an annual ritual for Scorpion collectors and 2011 promises to be bigger and better than ever. 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 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, or 2010.

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 2011 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.

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 Super Stinger, please tell us about it.

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

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 Cuyuna Lakes 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 Bob Heath. 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 74' & 75 Super Stinger's will be set-up near the display area entrance. Please place all Super Stinger's (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.

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.

Media Coverage : Ample media coverage is expected this year, including KKIN, WJJY, the Crosby-Ironton Courier and Lakeland Public Television (KAWB). Shine-up those machines, and say "cheese!"

Parking/Ice : A significant amount of plowed, on-ice parking will be available. Although ice depth is good, on-ice parking is always at your own risk. Adjacent street-side parking is also an option. See traffic volunteers at the boat ramp for details. Outside of pre-plowed areas, on-ice driving conditions are marginal. 4x4 rigs may be required in unplowed areas.

Location : If you are unsure of the location, check-out the map link above. Enter Memorial Park through the west-side entrance along Hwy 210, then proceed to the boat ramp where volunteers will assist you.

Merchandise : 2011 continues with a wider range of commemorative merchandise. Quantities are limited. No rain checks. All Sales Final. All profits benefit the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Cash only please. Pen: $1, 2011 Homecoming Button: $3
(prior year buttons: $1); ceramic mug: $5; beanie: $10; ball cap: $15; tumbler: $10; thermal mug: $15; flags: small (1’ x 1.5’): $20, large (2’ x 3’): $90.

Awards : A generous offering of trophies will be distributed at the 3:00 PM on-ice awards presentation, including the following categories at minimum: Feature Sled (Super Stingers model years 1974-75); Trail-A-Sled Era, original and restored (model years 1959-1971); Scorpion Era, original & restored (model years 1972-1981); Scorpion Custom; Scorpion Traveler; and Chamber’s Choice.

Event Flyer : An official event poster is now available. See link at the top of this page (PDF format). Print it out and promote the Homecoming!

Homecoming Button : This year's official button design has been posted to the table above. Support the event by purchasing this on-ice memento. After seven years, still only $3.00!

Apparel : In the spirit of 1974 & 1975, please sport your Scorpion-themed vintage apparel.