8555-R2_MSA_November2023_Newsletter

2023 MSA Antique Snowmobile Show AtThe Maine Snowmobile Show By Kimmy Boyle

O ctober 20-22, 2023, was a record ticketed event at the Maine Snowmobile Show at Augusta Civic Center. Six ty-three vintage snowmobiles in the antique room alone! Every fall, the Augusta Civic Center hosts the Maine Snow mobile Show, an event that draws snowmobile enthusiasts from the northern most and southern most parts of Maine. The Maine Snowmobile Show, features gear, raffles, new snowmobiles and trailers, oil, food, parts, accessories, and many vendors, like the home show, for snowmobiles. This event lasts all weekend. What makes the Maine Snowmobile Show great, in my opinion, are the antique snowmobiles.The antique snowmo biles captivate visitors with stories of these historic motor ized vehicles over the last 100 years! Antique sleds are sleds that are 25 years old or older, and only need to be registered once. They can be shown at show or ridden in parades; or what we like to call antique rides. Of the 63 sleds on dis play this weekend, Skidoo, Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Motor Ski were the most prevalent.There was a snow bike, a John Deere sled, a Mercury snowmobile, a “Whip-It” snowmo bile, as well as many other brands.There were many options back in the day for snowmobiles, nowadays it’s just Skidoo, Polaris, Arctic Cat, or aYamaha. It’s intriguing to see the life cycle of a snowmobile from back in the 40’s to snowmobiles now. The changes are out of this world. A destination up in northern Maine would take my Great-grandfather and father all day, on a Skidoo in the late 60’s, now takes maybe an hour or two on our skidoos to get there. The antique snowmobile rides, and antique snowmobile shows are what make this show so special to come to. Everyone wants to share their stories with visitors who, just don’t understand that is not “just an old sled”. It has value, big value, sentimental value, and monetary value. Snow mobiles were a way of life “back in the old days” before cell phones and the internet. If you broke down on the trail, you had to be able to fix the sled to get back home.There wasn’t “phone a friend.”The intellectual level of knowing an engine inside and out was huge. It would make or break you. It was great watching exhibitors talk to visitors at the show. It’s even better seeing the younger generation take interest in the older snowmobiles. It was wonderful looking over the accessories and vendors, but I had more fun sharing my stories and engaging with the public. Finding the fun in something old is an adventure.The antique show brings collectors together, they in time become friends, with time they become family. Getting involved is the only way we can keep this special hobby alive and thriving. Volunteers are ALWAYS needed for a snowmobile clubs or large events like this one. Clubs groom trails and organize events for the community. If you haven’t spoken with a snowmobile club, you should. Get involved. I am glad I did, it brought me closer to my dad than I ever thought possible. I will forever cherish these years. GET INVOLVED.

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