Scorpion Homecoming & Ice fishing contest 2016

February 6, 2016

Promotional Materials

• Combo Flyer - Basic (290KB PDF)
• Combo Poster - Detailed (397KB PDF)
• Scorpion Poster (288KB PDF)

Overview

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

Join hundreds of Scorpion fans for the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce's twelfth annual Scorpion Homecoming & Ice Fishing Contest!

The 2016 Homecoming will offer two exciting features this year! First, the 2016 event will honor Scorpion's iconic 1970 Stinger - the fabulous red-fleck sports machine with the distinctive teardrop hood. Secondly, Scorpion Homecoming will also be honoring all non-snowmobile products manufactured by Trail-A-Sled, Inc., and Scorpion Snowmobiles (in the years from 1959 to 1981). Mopeds, Spyders, air-sleds, boats, canoes, trail groomers, etc. - Scorpion has a long history of manufacturing expertise and diversification, and in 2016 we honor all of it! Segregated display areas will be available for both the 1970 Stinger and non-snowmobile items. Attendees bringing either of these will receive a special commemorative button (complimentary - one per machine please).

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 Chamber by purchasing a raffle ticket (excellent prizes awarded - need not be present to win), patronizing the concessionaires and purchasing the official 2016 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 2016 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 6th. 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.

Homecoming Results

12TH ANNUAL SCORPION HOMECOMING ENJOYS WARM WEATHER AND A STRONG SHOWING OF "NON-SNOWMOBILES"

Nearly 150 snowmobiles were on display this past Saturday at the 12th annual Scorpion Homecoming, held in conjunction with the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Ice Fishing Contest. Several hundred participants enjoyed the mild weather and a strong showing of 1970 Stinger’s, 22 in all! 

Additionally, and unique to this year’s event, many “non-snowmobiles” were also on display, including mopeds, air-sleds, boats of various kinds, trail groomers and Spyders. These non-snowmobiles served as a reminder that homegrown Trail-A-Sled (and later Scorpion Snowmobiles) produced at various times a wide range of recreational products, and not just snowmobiles.

And a hearty thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make this another successful event, including: Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Holmvig Excavating, Tim Leonard, Miss Crosby-Ironton Scholarship Pageant, Antique Snowmobile Society, Crosby-Ironton Courier, Arthur Ebnet and numerous family and friends.

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

Chamber's Choice: Dave Gruba, McGregor MN, 1967 Scorpion (4-cylinder drone)

C-I Royalty Award: Steve Pierce, Cohasset MN, 1966 Scorpion

Scorpion Traveler: Dwight Bartel, West Bend WI (430 miles)

Scorpion Custom – Runner Up: Donn Danelski, Sturgeon Lake MN, 1971 Mark I

Scorpion Custom – First Place: David Ice, Isle MN, 1970 Stinger

Trail-A-Sled Era – Original – Runner-Up: Jerry Garner, Blaine MN, 1965 Trail-A-Sled

Trail-A-Sled Era – Original – First Place: Kari Ledin, Lake Shore MN, 1970 Mark II

Trail-A-Sled Era – Restored – Runner-Up: Makaylee Salzberger, Menomonie WI, 1971 Stinger

Trail-A-Sled Era – Restored – First Place: Chuba Brothers, Emily MN, 1969 Mark III w Cutter

Scorpion Era – Original – Runner-Up: Dwight Bartel, West Bend WI, 1975 Brut

Scorpion Era – Original – First Place: Dave Emme, Glenco MN, 1976 Massey Ferguson Whirlwind

Scorpion Era – Restored – Runner-Up: Chris Moore, Ham Lake MN, 1978 Whip TKX

Scorpion Era – Restored – First Place: Doug Holicky, New Prague MN, 1977 Massey Ferguson Storm

Feature Sled – 1970 Stinger – Runner-Up: Mark Shraut, Royalton MN, 1970 Stinger

Feature Sled – 1970 Stinger – Runner-Up: Randy Mossengren, Cambridge MN, 1970 Stinger

Feature Sled – 1970 Stinger – First Place: Scott Vouk, St Stephen, 1970 Stinger

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

• Mild with modest winds. Cloudy with a high of 36.

Parking/Ice Conditions

• IMPORTANT ICE CONDITION & PARKING INFORMATION - TRUCKS & TRAILERS -- Given unseasonably warm conditions in recent days, 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, but these matters are obviously out of our control. -- See attached map detail 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!

Official 2016 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 2016 event will offer two amazing features:

1. The iconic 1970 Stinger with it's distinctive red metal-fleck teardrop hood
2. All non-snowmobile machines manufactured by Trail-A-Sled, Inc., and Scorpion, Inc. from 1959-1981, to include air-sleds, Spyders, groomers, mopeds, boats, canoes, pontoons, etc.!

In 2016, we honor not only Scorpion's snowmobiles, but also the firm's manufacturing versatility and expertise in other areas as well!

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 2016. Scorpion Homecoming is independently judged by experts within the antique and vintage snowmobile hobby - the Antique Snowmobile Society (A.S.S.).

Non-snowmobile items 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:

• Feature Sled (1970 Stinger)
• Trail-A-Sled Era, original and restored (model years 1959-1971)
• Scorpion Era, original & restored (model years 1972-1981)
• Scorpion Custom
• Scorpion Traveler
• Chamber’s Choice
• C-I Royalty Award

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.

Profits benefit the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Please support the event by purchasing these wonderful items! Cash only please.

Merchandise

Homecoming button - support the event by purchasing this on-ice memento. After eleven years, still only $3.00!

Once again a wide range of commemorative merchandise will be offered - but unique to 2016, prices have been slashed to the bone! Don't miss this opportunity to buy many of our items at cost. Quantities are limited. No rain checks. All Sales Final. Profits benefit the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Cash only please.

• Apparel
  • T-Shirts (prior years): $8
  • Ball cap: $8
  • Beanie: $8
  • Oval patch: $5
• Buttons
  • 2015: $3
    • Prior years: $1
• Novelties
  • Mug - ceramic: $5
  • Pens: $1
  • Key tag: $1
  • Flags: small (1’x1.5’): $20; large (2’x3’): $90

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 both 1970 Stingers and non-snowmobile items will be set-up near the display area entrance. Please place all 1970 Stingers and non-snowmobile items 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.