By Michalle Meyers, Contributing Writer
The nineteenth annual antique, vintage, and classic snowmobile show will be held January 4th 2025 at the Plainfield township resource center 220 N. Washington Street (also known as M65) in Hale. The show was started in 2006 by Fred Edgerton, a well known figure in the antique and vintage snowmobile world. The show originally was held at the resource center, then was moved to the American Legion post a few years later. This year the show will return to the resource center next to the fire hall. In 2019 Fred gave up the reigns to Greg Eno who ran it for three years before his unfortunate passing in 2022. Fred once again ran it for a couple years with help from Dale Bortle.
This year a new couple, myself (Michalle) and husband Kenny Meyers will be taking the show over. We have been involved in assisting Fred for several years, in various roles such as registration, helping load, and unload snowmobiles and judging. We have been snowmobiling for several years, Kenny since 1977 and I been snowmobiling since 1986.
The free to the public and participants show will have eighteen judged classes, the classes include restored antique, original antique, restored vintage, original vintage, original classic, rat sled, best display, rear engine sled, race sled, mini sled, best cutter (tow behind sleigh), participants choice in which people with entries into the event vote on their favorite, longest haul goes to the person that drove the farthest to get to the show, oldest participant in which the oldest person entering a snowmobile is awarded a trophy, featured sled, which this year will be a barn find/bushwhacked sled. That’s a snowmobile freshly drug out of a field or barn that has been sitting many years that has not been restored or cleaned up-does not need to run. Last but not least is the Tamara Edgerton memorial trophy, this trophy is given to the person with the oldest snowmobile at the show, this memorializes Freds late wife Tamara, who helped with the show for many years. classes are set up as follows antique is 1968 or older, vintage is 1969 to 1980, and classic is 1980 until 1999. registration is from 8-10am, trophy presentation will be at approximately 3pm. At 1pm everybodys favorite event, the kitty cat event takes place on the grounds behind the building. This event is for kids nine years old and younger, it is a timed event obstacle course. A kitty cat and helmet will be provided, parents must sign a waiver in order for their child to participate. there are no losers in this event as every young entrant gets a trophy. Any Swappers are also encouraged to bring their stuff to sell.
Food will be available for purchase inside the building, as of now breakfast burritos, donuts, coffee, hot dogs, sloppyjoes, chips, chili and soft drinks. No alcohol is allowed at the venue, menu is tentative at this time. Food is beinghandled by The Hale area Trailblazers, a local snowmobile and orv club that built and maintains a warming hut ontrail six near Rollway road. proceeds from the sale of food go directly to the club, they recently celebrated thier 50thanniversary as a club. they will have several members volunteering their help working the registration table, parking,set up and clean up. Kenny and Michalle are hoping for a great turnout, in the past anywhere from seventy five upto one hundred fifty snowmobiles have been entered. They are also hoping for great weather, in the past weather hasbeen warm, cold, snowy, very cold and windy so check the weather forecast before you leave home so you can dressappropriately for the weather. yes the building is available to come in, sit down and warm up if needed. regardless of the weather the show will go on!
For those interested in lodging the is a small older motel five miles north of town on M65, the Bears den motel,there are other motels/hotels in Tawas and East Tawas, as well as West Branch and the Saganing casino in Standish, all are 25-35 mile drive.
The town of Hale and Plainfield township have been very receptive of this show in the past and continues to be.many local businesses have stepped up to sponsor the show, some of the are Hale Hardware, Wilson and sonsseptic service, Kathy Janes keepsakes, Buresh funeral home, Bernard lumber co., Northland credit union, F.A.S. heating and cooling, Hale area trailblazers, Brians plumbing and Heating, Kevin Meyers, County fair store, to name a few. Hope to see everyone there and Think Snow! •
Hey Michalle,
My wife, Christina, ran across some pictures from this event on Facebook (I am not on Facebook), and became very excited about one of the exhibits there. Specifically, the Arctic Cat Puma with triple engine, the red metal flake paint, and the name “Carlesimo, Lexington, MI” on the hood. I would be really interested to know more about that sled, its history, and potentially the current owner, because Christina’s grandfather was Larry Carlesimo. He had an Arctic Cat Dealership North of Lexington on M25 back in the day. He built and raced Arctic Cat sleds, and exposing the engine through the hood was one of his signature build favorites. Any information you might have and could share would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John Leen
Sanilac County, MI