AWSC News

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL START OF WINTER

If you’re a snowmobiler, there’s only one thing better than the first snowmobile ride of the season, it’s the moment you arrive at Hay Days. From the sights, the smells and the sounds, Hay Days is the original godfather of snowmobile events. Hay Days has a heartbeat that pumps up the fever for this sport unlike any other. Those who come once, never stop returning; and for those rare few who will make this your first Hay Days ever, you won’t miss another. Put on your walking shoes, download the all-new Hay Days app, and get ready for the biggest snowmobile and powersports show in the world…winter is just around the corner.

GENERAL DATES & TIMES

September 10-11, 2022 Saturday and Sunday 7:00am to 5:00pm – Show Hours Saturday 12:00pm – Flyover with opening ceremonies to follow.

ADMISSION

Weekend Pass $40 / Advance $30 Saturday Only $35 / Advance $25 Sunday Only $20 / Advance $15 Kids 12 and under are free Tickets on sale August 1. Go to haydays.com to purchase your tickets in advance.

Sunday is military appreciation day. All active military members are admitted free with current valid military ID.

GRASS DRAGS

Saturday 9:00am – Driver Autographs Saturday 10:00am – Racing Begins Saturday 12:00pm – Opening Ceremonies Sunday 9:00am – Racing Begins Sunday 11:00am – Finals Begin

For a detailed schedule with classes and times download the Hay Days App available for Apple or Android phones.

FREESTYLE/UTV RACES

Saturday & Sunday 11:00am and 2:00pm – Freestyle Show & UTV Races

MUD BOGS

Saturday 2:30pm – Racing Begins Sunday 12:45pm – Racing Begins

DEMO RIDES

Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm – Open Demo Rides Sunday 9:00am to 2:30pm – Open Demo Rides

55th Annual Collectors Program

www.haydays.com

Sno Barons Club Officers

2022 Sno Barons Club Officers:

President Ed Clark President Elect Greg Goodfellow Treasurer Kristin Seline Assistant Treasurer Becky Little Secretary Laurie Velve Sargent at Arms Russ Ernst

Board of Directors:

Mike Benson, Jim Bryant, Rob Holden, Tammy Kissick-Glubke, Bob Kollmer, Renee Lupien, Jim Seiberlich, Keith Twombley

thAnniv sary

Publisher Joel Mellenthin Editorial Director Pat Bourgeois Editor Kale Wainer Copy Editor/Admin Paula Jones Art Director Corey Friesen Advertising Sales Diane Voight Photo Archives C. J. Ramstad

Contributors

Melissa Peters, Haley Lerner, Dustin Kaneoya

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There’s little doubt the Sno Barons are continually driven to make the Hay Days experience better for fans, vendors, and racers alike. The all-new Hay Days app, available for both Android and Apple smart phone users, will elevate your time at Hay Days this year, but putting the most important information from the biggest snowmobile and powersports event of the year right in the palm of your hand.

We’ve had a chance to test an early version of the HD app, and it should make finding event locations and times, navigating the massive facility, and purchasing tickets and merchandise much easier. While the app will surely evolve and become even more robust in subsequent years, here’s what you can expect this year.

• GPS maps and pin drop capabilities so you can find your location and navigate to new ones.

• An events schedule for all major attractions including grass drags, mud bogs, and freestyle.

• Easy to enter sweepstakes and winner notifications. • Purchase advance tickets or official Hay Days merchandise

• Push notifications keeping you abreast of event times, special appearances. and more.

ENTER TO WIN THE SNO BARONS SWEET SWEEPSTAKES

Most would consider attending Hay Days a winning day, but it could get even better if you’re one of the lucky winners in the Sno Barons Sweet Sweepstakes. Entering is fast and easy through the new Hay Days app or online at www. haydays.com, best of all no purchase is necessary. Possible prizes include new snowmobiles from Arctic Cat, Polaris or Ski-Doo, or a new four-wheeler from Yamaha. So, sign up early, and we might see you in the winner’s circle.

ELIGIBILITY Sweepstakes are open to legal residents of the United States of America who have a valid United States mailing address, have reached the age of majority in their state of residence and who have a valid e-mail account and telephone number prior to the beginning of the Entry Period. HOW TO ENTER To enter this Sweepstakes, during the Entry Period, you must complete the electronic entry form located in our Hay Days App or the electronic entry form located at www.haydays.com. Entries shall be limited to one (1) per person. Excess entries may be cause for disqualification. For complete terms and conditions, visit haydays.com for details or the Hay Days app.

THE HEART, HISTORY, THE HEART, HISTORY, Presented by AND SOUL OF HAY DAYS AND SOUL OF HAY DAYS

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

Back 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-thesnow 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 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

own land in Sunrise Township in Chisago County, about seven miles east of North Branch, which is now the permanent home for Hay Days. Hay Days really kicked into high gear in 1976 when the Southern Wisconsin Drag Racing Association (SWDRA) added the event to its racing circuit. Soon, racers from across the snowbelt and eventually around the world were flocking to Hay Days, and race day permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day. In 1980 the swap meet was added, and it quickly became one of the largest buying-and-selling events of its kind anywhere. Hay Days racers come from all over the U.S. and Canada, and so do the swappers – pulling trailers overflowing with snowmobile, off-road, collectibles and a vast array of unearthed trinkets and treasures. With the growth of both the racing and the swap meet, other parts of Hay Days grew as well. Today, Hay Days represents one of the biggest, if not the biggest, powersports shows in the world. Virtually every major manufacturer and aftermarket company in both the snowmobile and off-road vehicle market are in attendance. You won’t find club members preparing thousands of hot dogs any longer, instead scores of food vendors and food trucks encompass the grounds and the Sno Barons have built four beer gardens, each close to the events and activities where the biggest crowds gather. It’s safe to say you won’t go thirsty. Today, Hay Days marks the beginning of the snowmobiling season, this “Official Start of Winter” puts the eyes of the entire global snowmobile population on this two-day event. For this reason, Hay Days has become the focal point for all the major players. Many manufacturers unveil their newest models at the event – often in grand style. There’s no question, Hay Days is a labor of love for the Sno Barons. The modern-day Hay Days is a major event, and it

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generates significant revenue…revenue that the Sno Barons use to continue to make both the Hay Days experience and the snowmobiling experience across the snowbelt better. It starts with the Hay Days grounds. Beyond the day-today costs of maintaining the facility, the Sno Barons are continually making investments to improve the infrastructure. From permanent roads, fencing, and world-class racing tracks to new structures and event experiences like this year’s Hay Days App for your smart phone — the Hay Days experience continually gets better. Beyond the venue, the Sno Barons developed a grant program to provide financial assistance to other snowmobile and off-road clubs. From bridge construction and warming houses to trail re-routes, the Sno Barons have been helping other clubs keep the sport of snowmobiling alive and vibrant. Additional process fund scholarships for area schools and charitable causes including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch, local food shelves, along with police, fire, and community groups. From humble beginnings to world’s largest…the passion and soul of the Sno Barons has remained the same. If you’d like to learn more about the Sno Barons Snowmobile Club and how you can become a member, visit their website at www. snobarons.com The club is always seeking new members who are active enthusiasts and want to make a difference in the sport.

THE SNO BARONS GIVE BACK TO THE SNOWMOBILE COMMUNITY SNOBARONS.COM

Presented by

HAYDAYS.COM

Each year, the Sno Barons set aside a portion of the profits from the September Haydays Event and give it back to the snowmobiling community. Grants are awarded up to $1,500 and are intended to be used to support trail development and improvements. Most clubs and associations use the money for trail expansion, rerouting, bridge work, fencing and signage or put toward new grooming equipment and/or mechanical maintenance. While there is always a need for more money than is

In the past two years, the following clubs have been awarded grants to put toward their associated needs:

BABBITT ATV & SNOWMOBILE

CLUB – Bridge repair, Brushing, Brushing equipment and Trail reroute

BELLE PLAINE BOROUGH RIDERS

– Bridge replacement BLUFF VALLEY RIDERS – Trail reroute, Gates, Bulldozer work, Fencing, Bridge Replacement DRIFT-TOPPERS – Groomer replacement ELY IGLOO SNOWMOBILE CLUB – Bridge repair

FINLAND SNOWMOBILE & ATV

CLUB – New trail signage HAMEL SNO RUNNERS – Cab enclosure

LONGVILLE LAKES AREA

SNOWMOBILE CLUB – New groomer tracks, Trail reroute and Groomer replacement LORETTO SNO BIRDS – New trail maintenance groomer drag MAPLE PLAIN SNOMADS – ARGO XTV for trail maintenance MILLE LACS TRAILS INC. – Bridge replacement

MONTICELLO TRAILBLAZERS

SNOWMOBILE CLUB – Trail Shelter NORTH BRANCH SNO DRIFTERS – New bridges, Bridge repair, Brush hog, Groomer drag repair NORTHWEST TRAILS – Groomer tracks for trail maintenance

RIVER VALEY TRAIL BLAZERS

– Bulldozer work to repair trail damage

SHERBURNE COUNTY TRAIL

ASSOCIATION – New grooming equipment ST. STEPHENS RIVER RUNNERS – Groomer repair WELLS CREEK RIDERS – Bridge repair and Equipment rental

WILD RIVER SNOWMOBILE CLUB

– Grooming equipment available, the Sno Barons recognize the need for trail expansion and favor those applications as well as first time applicants. Applications are available online (Snobarons.com) and should be submitted by November 1. Please note the priority for funding is given to new trail development and/or improvements to existing trails (such as bridge replacement, trail widening, signage, fencing, etc.) as well as to clubs and trail associations that have not received funds in the past.