Haydays may call itself the “Unofficial Start To Winter,” but another ultra-cool snowmobiling event kicks off the calendar’s unofficial start to summer with a monstrous display of old iron.
The Classic Sled Roundup, hosted by the Snowmobile Hall Of Fame and sponsored by Arctic Cat & R&R Motorsports, has become an annual celebration of snowmobiling’s colorful history in the Wisconsin Northwoods on Memorial Day weekend. The event this year will be May 24 at Town Park in St. Germain, Wisconsin.
Every year, the Roundup attracts hundreds of sleds from dozens of snowmobile manufacturers. There will be plenty of snowmobiles from the current big four snowmobile manufacturers — Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha — but also dozens of sleds from now long-past brands. Last year’s event attracted everything from Evinrude to Mercury, Moto-Ski to Chaparral, Rupp to John Deere snowmobiles. And, just when you thought you’d seen it all, you’d stumble across a Roll-O-Flex, a Sno Jet or a Northway snowmobile. There will be judging in 14 categories — from the earliest iron dog machines to a post 1981 category. If you’re a longtime snowmobiler, you’re bound to see a sled you used to own or one that used to be run by one of your buddies.
Registration for sleds starts at 7 a.m., with judging going from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an awards program at 3 p.m.
The event also includes a raffle for a beautifully restored 1976 Ski-Doo TNT/RV 250 that was restored and partially donated by radio personality Ramblin’ Ray Stevens. Plus, there will be tribute display honoring the cross-country racing sleds that ran in the old Winnipeg-to-St.-Paul I-500 race, food vendors on site and a general festive atmosphere.
To see photos of last year’s event, click here. For more information, visit the Snowmobile Hall of Fame website.
