Power-sports enthusiasts gather from around the country and the world to attend the Hay Days festival every year, but the spectacle will be even greater this time for the 50th anniversary. Sno Barons Snowmobile Club member Andi Johnson reflects on how Hay Days has grown through the years. “It started in 1966 with some buddies drag-racing snowmobiles in the field, and somehow it turned into this,” she says.
Snowmobile drag races, ATV and dirt-bike races, and freestyle events are guaranteed to thrill audiences. Spend the weekend watching the races, browsing miscellaneous used power motorsport parts for sale at the enormous swap meet and traversing the 120 acres of Sunrise Township in Chisago County.
Fairgoers can visit booths of more than 200 specialty motocross dealers, including Polaris, Yamaha, Arctic Cat and Ski Doo. Some of the dealers even unveil their new line of snowmobiles or other power-sports vehicles for the upcoming year.
Guests can visit food and beverage vendors and test-drive four-wheelers and ATVs. Hay Days also provides a kids’ play area with remote-control cars and bounce houses. This year will feature a Ferris wheel, extra giveaways including a raffle with four snowmobiles and cash prizes, a limited number of gift bags at the gate, a special attraction (details to come) and homage to the 50 years of Hay Days.
Hay Days will take place 7 a.m.– 5 p.m. September 10–11 at 38740 Oriole Ave., North Branch, Minn. $30 for the weekend, $25 for Saturday only and $15 for Sunday only. Kids 12 and younger are free; active military free Sunday.
