Scorpion Homecoming 2014

February 1, 2014

Overview

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

Download the official event poster in PDF format by clicking here (483 KB).

Join hundreds of Scorpion fans for the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce's tenth annual Scorpion Homecoming!

The Homecoming has become an annual ritual for Scorpion collectors and with our tenth anniversary approaching, 2014 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 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 2014 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 are not expected to be operated during the event.

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

Need more information? Use our Contact form.

Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce - Annual Ice Fishing Contest

Come to Scorpion Homecoming 2014 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 1st. 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.

1st Prize - Otter Portable 2-Man Fish House. 2nd Prize - Strikemaster Honda Lite 4-stroke 8” Auger. 3rd Prize - Marcum VS385C Underwater Camera . 4th Prize - Held’s Fishing Guided Service/Maucieri’s half day guided fishing trip for 1-3 people, have your fish prepared by Maucieri’s Bar & Bistro 1-3 people. 5th Prize - Overnight stay and free buffet for 2 at Grand Casino Mille Lacs

Homecoming Results

Nearly 200 Scorpions in Attendance!

Scorpion Homecoming 2014 sported one of its better turnouts in recent years, as hundreds of Scorpion enthusiasts enjoyed the improved weather and occasional sunshine to soak-in this tenth-annual event. Nearly 200 Scorpions lined the display rows, including a surprisingly large showing of this year’s feature sled, the 1965 Scorpion. Additional highlights included: the forty-sled trail-ride; the Minnesota Bound film crew spending the entire day at the event; the presence of Crosby-Ironton Royalty who added class and beauty, and Dick Harrison who for the first time in 50 years demonstrated an air-powered Trail-A-Sled on frozen Serpent Lake. It truly was a day to remember.

Additional shout-out goes to the kitchen crew, Tim Leonard (parking lot prep), Holmvig Excavating (display rows), Aitkin Rental Center - Craig Pearson (support /warming tent), the Sno-Serpents (event grooming), and of course the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Final thanks to all the volunteers who make this and the adjacent Ice Fishing Contest such a successful event.

Images and video will be posted to the Scorpion Snowmobiles Facebook Page in the coming days:

https://www.facebook.com/scorpionsnowmobiles

As always, numerous awards were presented at the 3:00 PM program, with expert judging provided by the Antique Snowmobile Society: Steve Pierce, Dave Johnson, Tim Quast and Todd Hicke.

This year’s Scorpion Traveler award went to Tom Anderson, who came all the way from Alaska to attend the event!

Chamber’s Choice: Robb Clear, Holdingford MN, Stinger III 1971

C-I Royalty Award: Robb Clear, Holdingford MN, Stinger III 1971

Scorpion Traveler: Tom Anderson, Alaska (3600 Miles)

Scorpion Custom – Runner Up: David Ice, Isle MN, Stinger 1970

Scorpio Custom – 1st Place: Bob Reini, Britt MN, Scorpion 1967

Trail-A-Sled Era – Original - Runner Up: Charles Bachman, Brainerd MN, Mark I 1968

Trail-A-Sled Era – Original - 1st Place: Scott Tolve, Elk River MN, Mark III 1970

Trail-A-Sled Era – Restored - Runner Up:  Chuba Brothers, Maple Plain MN, ‘Lil’ Stinger 1970

Trail-A-Sled Era – Restored - 1st Place: David McCorison, Sturgeon Lake MN, Wide Track 1967

Scorpion Era – Original – Runner Up: Bridgeway Studio, Breezy Point MN, Lil Whip 1975

Scorpion Era – Original – 1st Place: John Hulett, Mahtowa MN, Sting 1980

Scorpion Era – Restored – Runner Up:  Chad Meyer, Dorchester IA, Massey Cyclone 1976

Scorpion Era – Restored – 1st Place: Neil Thesing, Oakdale MN, Sidewinder 1981

Feature Sled – 1965 Scorpion – Runner Up: Duane Kraemer, Aitkin MN, 4-Stroke

Feature Sled – 1965 Scorpion – Runner Up: Mark Schraut, Royalty MN, Trail-A-Sled

Feature Sled – 1965 – 1st Place: Iron Hub Bog Busters, Iron Hub MN, Orange Scorpion

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

• 01/30 - Saturday's forecast is favorable, with highs expected in the teens, partly cloudy sky's and light winds. Weather should have little, to no adverse affect upon the event.

Parking/Ice Conditions

• 01/31 - For your convenience, a large on-ice parking area has been plowed between the exhibit area and the shoreline. Access it via the boat ramp within Crosby's Memorial Park. 
• 01/26 - Given recent cold temperatures, ice depth is good. Details regarding on-ice parking will be posted shortly. As always, on-ice parking is at your own risk. Curb-side parking is available along adjoining city streets.

Details

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

Feature Sled

The 2014 event will feature the little machine that made the company - the revolutionary 1965 rubber-tracked Scorpion.

Media Coverage

Extensive media coverage is expected this year, including an in-depth visit from Minnesota Bound. Be prepared for on-camera interviews and have that Scorpion looking pretty. KKIN, the Crosby-Ironton Courier, Crosby-Ironton Royalty and others will also be present.

Social Media

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

Judging

A more formalized judging process will continue for 2014. Scorpion Homecoming is independently judged by experts within the antique and vintage snowmobile hobby - the Antique Snowmobile Society (A.S.S.).

Trophies

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 (1965 Scorpion)
• 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 ten years, still only $3.00!

Once again a wide range of commemorative merchandise will be offered. Quantities are limited. No rain checks. All Sales Final. Profits benefit the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Cash only please.

• Apparel
  • T-Shirts - 2014: $12
  • Ball cap: $15
  • Beanie: $10
  • Oval patch: $8
• Buttons
  • 2014: $3
  • Prior years: $1
• Novelties
  • Mug - ceramic: $5
  • Key light: $3
  • 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 1965 feature sleds will be set-up near the display area entrance. Please place all wedge designs from these years (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!

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.