THE HEART, HISTORY, AND SOUL OF HAY DAYS
Presented by
Hay Days from above in 2010 when the event was still held adjacent to Waldoch Sports in Columbus Township.
Celebrating 55 Years, the Sno Barons Passion for Powersports Still Burns Strong
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ack in 1966, there weren’t a lot of snowmobile clubs and the sport looked very different than it does today. With the popularity of these unusual over-the-snow vehicles exploding, there were manufacturers of every shape and size looking to capitalize on the burgeoning popularity. Simultaneously, clubs began to form as well, including the Sno Barons. As with everything, only the strong would eventually survive this initial boom, of the more than 100 manufacturers that dotted the snow belt, only four remain today. The same could be said of the snowmobile clubs. Many have come and gone over the past half century, and the Sno Barons not only survived, but thrived. To be successful, be it a business, an organization, or a club you need a common goal…a purpose. For the Sno Barons that purpose is unquestionably Hay Days. Stemming from an idea that took root on a steamy summer night in 1966 over drinks at the Crooked Lake Tavern, the Sno Barons club was formed, and from it Hay Days. The list of suggested names for the newly formed club was endless. The first approved name was the Crooked Lake Sno Barons. The name later was changed to Anoka Sno Barons, then the Anoka County Sno Barons, and eventually to simply the Sno Barons. The roots of the club are still primarily in Anoka County, but today’s members are from all over the metro area, and even beyond. The first race took place in November 1967 on the site of what’s now the Majestic Oaks Golf Club, in Ham Lake, Minnesota. Early events – then known as the “Hay Day” race – took place in a single afternoon in October or November and drew racers from the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Because
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Hay Days 2022
snow is far from certain during those months, organizers built the race surface out of alfalfa hay, hence the name “Hay Day.” As word spread about an interesting snowmobile race held on a bed of hay, its popularity grew. Events were held on a shoestring budget and the Sno Barons coordinated everything – from building the track to signing up racers to managing concessions. Long-time members recall spending endless hours preparing hundreds of pounds of sloppy joes, brats, polish sausages and hot dogs to feed hungry spectators, racers, and club members throughout the day. The event led a nomadic existence, with development forcing it to move several times until the club in 2010 purchased its
