It was August 2007 when I discovered the 2008 Waconia show would feature the Polaris brand of snowmobiles.  Since I had heard that Waconia is the largest vintage snowmobile show, I figured that if I were to ever to the mid-west to a snowmobile show, this should be the one.  I mentioned to my father that we need to go to Waconia in January 2008, and since he didn’t say no, I figured we were going. 

Waconia is only 30 minutes from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport which made it easy to get to.  We stayed at the new AmericInn in Waconia which was only a minute or two from the show site. The show site was spacious, very well organized, and had plenty of room for the thousands of people who attended. 

Weather had been quite cold the few weeks prior to the show, but the show weekend saw temperatures in the mid-30’s – a Minnesota “chamber of commerce” day for sure. Lake Waconia had lots of ice on it which enabled the ROLA races and vintage radar runs to be held on Saturday and the vintage drag races on Sunday.  There were also many trucks and trailers park on the lake the entire weekend which assisted in parking, which there was plenty of space for.

On Friday afternoon we decided to take a drive and see if we could find Goose Lake Auto, which was only a few miles northwest of Waconia. We found it and I went inside and introduced myself to Sue Goede and visited for a few minutes.  I had talked to Sue a few times on the phone and had even purchased some Polaris parts from her a few years ago.   

Later that evening while at the hotel, we received a call from Sue Goede inviting us to a party she and Larry were having at their home.  We drove over and found the party being held in the upstairs of the Goede’s new garage/shop which was very nice. It had a pool table, bar, sofa and cable television and was a great place.  Among those at the party were Jerry Eves, Les Pinz, Larry & Sue Goede, Frank and Nickie Sadlon and many members of the local snowmobile club which would be working the weekend at the show.  We had a great time.  

On Saturday, we first walked the swap meet. There were many vendors. I purchased a new white 1975 Polaris women’s snowmobile coat and matching bibs with the red and blue chevrons on the coat arms. It will be a nice addition to my memorabilia stash as I have a 1975 Polaris Colt, matching boots and blue suit.

The CJ Ramstad memorial trail ride was held on Lake Waconia. There were reported to be 491 snowmobiles participate in the ride, and I believe it. We watched as the starting line went on for a few hundred yards easily. I saw Jerry Eves participate in the ride on what appeared to be a 1968 Polaris TX.  A silent auction was held throughout the day inside the Lakeside Ballroom which was a great facility which included a bar, a dining area and a dance floor where approximately 8 historical Polaris sleds were on display. Such sleds on display included the Polaris X3, Herb Howe’s 1966 Polaris Colt which won the 1966 I-500, a modified 800cc 973 Starfire named “Rocket Man”, Archie Simonson’s 1977 TX-L I-500 winning sled, Jim Bernat’s world championship 1975 PDC racer, Jim Langley’s 1967 Polaris Colt, a 1965 Polaris Mustang, and a nicely restored Lil Andy, to name a few.

We attended the dinner banquet held in the Lakeside Ballroom on Saturday night.  Speakers included Gary Webb (founder of the VSCA), Loren Anderson (Thee Snowmobile Hall of Fame), CJ Ramstad’s widow and daughter, Polaris co-founder David Johnson, Bob Eastman, Greg Hedlund, Herb Howe and Polaris Engineer Greg Monsrud.  This was a great event with a live auction with proceeds going to the new CJ Ramstad memorial library at Thee Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Wisconsin. I was fortunate to get my picture taken with Bob Eastman and had him autograph my 1973 Polaris Starfire poster which I took with me to specifically have him sign.  I came home with two Polaris banners (one fully autographed by the Polaris legends in attendance and the other from Frank Sadlon at Engineered Graphisc, Ltd.) and a fully autographed Polaris Legends book which I took also, to name a few items.

Sunday’s show had over 600 sleds on display. I volunteered to be a judge and was assigned to help judge 3 Polaris classes. WOW, there were some nice sleds on display.  I must say, however, that the sleds here in the West could have easily held their own against the mid-west sleds.  Judging was performed between 11 am an 1 pm and the judging sheets were well done.

Here is a list of some notable individuals we had the pleasure of meeting during our trip: Frank and Nickie Sadlon (Engineered Graphics, Ltd), Larry & Sue Goede (Goose Lake Auto), John Zeglin, Don Soukup (Dr. Mario), Jerry Eve, vintage racer Aaron Johnson (son of David Johnson), Larry Preston, Doc Jim, world champion vintage racer Mark Andersen, Bill Adams and Jeff Lausten (Arctic Restoration Specialties), Jeff Haugen and Justin (71TXMAN form the bull sessions).  I also personally witnessed world champion vintage racer Jacob Goede’s father crash Jacob’s 1973 Polaris TX Starfire during Saturday’s vintage radar runs.

Polaris Ledgends I met included Polaris co-founder David Johnson and his wife, Bob Eastman, LeRoy Lindblad, Greg Grahn, Les Pinz, Mike Baker, Greg Hedlund, Ray Monsrud, Jim Bernat, Andy Wells (Lil Andy), Herb Howe, Max Spalding.  Each of these individuals were enjoyable to talk to and I believe had a wonderful weekend as well.  I thank them all for coming.

The 2009 Waconia show will feature Ski-Doo so make your plans now to attend!  I would encourage anyone interested to seriously consider attending this show. It was very well run, had lots of things to do and see over the two days, and has a great venue.