Hay Days

[Itsflathere]

I believe last year was $20 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday. I paid $5 for parking on Saturday last year. I think it's too early in the year for the event to take place. It's no fun trying on gear when it's 85+ degrees outside.
My kid and his buddies rent a swap space. They camp there Friday to Sunday, bring their own food, grill, beverages, etc. When I get there I have an ice cold beer(s) waiting for me.
They sell a few things which offsets the cost to zero and they don't pay for parking. I always have a few things for sale and they sell the those for me. It is a win win for me!

Maybe this will cool you off!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-pH9qnEMM

This year it's $25 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday and $30 for the weekend. Parking is whatever parking is. The FAQ is wrong. I don't think the SnoBaron's control any parking anymore.

Pro, that's the best scam going. You sign up early for a swap spot, you camp in the swap area with your rusted out water heater and a headlight for a 1972 Craftsman lawnmower, because hey I'm a swapper, and you enjoy the entire event right smack dab in the middle of it. I don't know why more people don't do it. Some actually have snowmobile items but fewer and fewer each year it seems. At some point there will be absolutely nothing really for sale in the swap.

 

[Pro-8250]

I'm 90% sure it's this early because of hunting season in MN. Get your sled ready to go.....Go Hunting....Then go riding.

Man I sure hope so as far as ridding. Long range forecast don't look so well anywhere.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

Man I sure hope so as far as ridding. Long range forecast don't look so well anywhere.

True, but that's the way it's been the past couple of years going into the winter hasn't it? I know the last couple years we have had to "chase" the snow a bit more but we sure have had some great riding days.

 

[Pro-8250]

This year it's $25 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday and $30 for the weekend. Parking is whatever parking is. The FAQ is wrong. I don't think the SnoBaron's control any parking anymore.

Pro, that's the best scam going. You sign up early for a swap spot, you camp in the swap area with your rusted out water heater and a headlight for a 1972 Craftsman lawnmower, because hey I'm a swapper, and you enjoy the entire event right smack dab in the middle of it. I don't know why more people don't do it. Some actually have snowmobile items but fewer and fewer each year it seems. At some point there will be absolutely nothing really for sale in the swap.

Ha Ha that's funny and you hit the nail right on the head! There is a lot of junk for sale. We sell basically sell snowmobile items and maybe a ATV or dirt bike item. Within the last year a friend of mine was throwing away three brand new Polaris windshields still in the packages and my sons friend bought a new can for his 2015 800 Arctic Cat and tossed the stock one in the garbage. So we got all those and we will sell them at the swap meet. My kid says Friday is the funnest time. Not crowded at all and you can sometimes buy and sell things that night before anyone shows up. Capitalism at it's best!
Thanks for the heads up on the $25 for Saturday only.

 

[haydaysswaptroll]

Actually I believe the parking has stayed the same price every year at all the "farmer" lots, just the gate price has gone up. The 2nd year at the new location they went to free parking in the lot to the south side of the event and made a point to advertise that the gate price went up to cover that cost here on Snowest and a few other forums. (which I though was also the case last year). This year on the website it doesn't even list that area as parking (Free or other) But the cost of the gate ticket did not go back down? That was part of the complaints I was hearing about. Maybe this is all wrong and people just don't remember what they paid to get in. Maybe haydaysswaptroll can chime in and list all the gate fees over the years and put that issue to bed. I was thinking it was not that long ago that we paid $15 to get in for Saturday and $20 for the weekend.....

But hey, it's their event and they can run it just as they want to. I'm just saying that the cost to get into the gate is starting to price people/families out of going.

Hi, I will try and answer multiple comments in one post. There hasn't been free parking in the south lot for a couple of years. The farmer chose not to lease his land any longer to us. Parking now is all handled by the local farmers and they can set their prices. We encourage them to be reasonable but it's ultimately up to them.


gate prices--
2012,2013,2014 2-day pass was $25
2012, 2013, 2014 Saturday only $20

The increase is basically trying to keep up with costs and land development. All upgrades are considered commercial rated so the costs are easily 2-5x what it would normally cost to do something, such as putting up a tin shack for a bar. After it's all said and done, the revenues go back into improving the land (and by extension, a better experience for attendees) and donations (snowmobile clubs and charities). Plus it'd be great to have more people on Sunday.. I think some of the swappers leave early because there's less shoppers, and there's less shoppers because the swappers leave early. Chicken and egg thing I guess.. Big boy drag finals will also be Sunday so hopefully that draws some too.

The club took approximately 20 new members in this year. There's a sponsorship process and generally a waiting list of a year to get in. So it's not as simple as most clubs are to join.


anything else, feel free to ask

 

[NorthMNSledder]

Hi, I will try and answer multiple comments in one post. There hasn't been free parking in the south lot for a couple of years. The farmer chose not to lease his land any longer to us. Parking now is all handled by the local farmers and they can set their prices. We encourage them to be reasonable but it's ultimately up to them.


gate prices--
2012,2013,2014 2-day pass was $25
2012, 2013, 2014 Saturday only $20

The increase is basically trying to keep up with costs and land development. All upgrades are considered commercial rated so the costs are easily 2-5x what it would normally cost to do something, such as putting up a tin shack for a bar. After it's all said and done, the revenues go back into improving the land (and by extension, a better experience for attendees) and donations (snowmobile clubs and charities). Plus it'd be great to have more people on Sunday.. I think some of the swappers leave early because there's less shoppers, and there's less shoppers because the swappers leave early. Chicken and egg thing I guess.. Big boy drag finals will also be Sunday so hopefully that draws some too.

The club took approximately 20 new members in this year. There's a sponsorship process and generally a waiting list of a year to get in. So it's not as simple as most clubs are to join.


anything else, feel free to ask

Thank you for the info. Can you also post approx attendance numbers for those same years?

Also your website says there is not a Saturday only pass this year, just a two day for $30. Is that correct?

 

[haydaysswaptroll]

Thank you for the info. Can you also post approx attendance numbers for those same years?

Also your website says there is not a Saturday only pass this year, just a two day for $30. Is that correct?

Sorry do not have attendance numbers. Though I can say they were pretty similar but down a bit on one of them due to what looked like rain on a Sunday but never did rain (that might have been 2yrs ago.. they all run together after a while )

You are correct. It's a 2-day pass only on Saturday for $30.

 

[Itsflathere]

Sorry do not have attendance numbers. Though I can say they were pretty similar but down a bit on one of them due to what looked like rain on a Sunday but never did rain (that might have been 2yrs ago.. they all run together after a while )

You are correct. It's a 2-day pass only on Saturday for $30.

Why did the general information handout my buddy had say that there were 3 different entry wrist bands; one for Saturday $25, one for Sunday $15 and one for two days $30? I'll leave out what colors, or what may or not also be on them.

 

[haydaysswaptroll]

Why did the general information handout my buddy had say that there were 3 different entry wrist bands; one for Saturday $25, one for Sunday $15 and one for two days $30? I'll leave out what colors, or what may or not also be on them.

If he received it at the club meeting this past week, it was to mark up corrections/changes and then re-submit. That packet is full of errors/changes from last year to this year..

 

[Pro-8250]

Support your local snowmobile club.

A big thank you to all the people who make Hay Days a reality. Don't forget to stop by the MNUSA booth when you are there.
http://www.mnsnowmobiler.org/

 

[ezra]

Goes up just about every year now it seems. I've been there the last 10 years and love the event don't get me wrong....

BUT a couple years back they went to free parking on the south side but you had to take a long walk through the cattle fencing to get in which sucks when you want to QUICKLY run back to your truck to drop off items you buy. So we started paying the $15 to park on the west side which is quick to walk back to the truck. So before we are even in the gate we will have $75 into admission for two.

But the best part......They upped the price to "cover the free parking" when they did it, but this years maps looks like everything is paid parking and they upped the price again for Saturday (I don't remember what Sunday was last year).

So every year I hear from a lot of people that are pissed at the Snobarons for one thing or another. It's the cost of Haydays, the parking at Haydays, The news choppers covering the traffic Saturday morning, the not taking new members (Only snowmobile club ever not to want lots of members they have ever heard of). But this year with the $30 Saturday tickets and the no free parking on the south side lots of people are just getting priced out of going. Good friend who has made just about every year said no more as it costs him $135 to get him, his wife and 14 year old twins in the gate now.

I'm not a Snobarrons member and have never looked into trying to become one or if it's even possible. I keep trying to defend them because of the money they put back into the sport and for hosting one of the largest snowmobile events in the world but I'm finding it harder every year when the cost keeps going up and the quality in the swap meet keeps going down. At what point does it get too much at the gate? Will it be $35 next year? $40 the year after? But maybe I'm in the minority on this and people will just keep paying no matter what they charge.

Well there is my mini rant on the subject. Either way I will be there again this year as it's a nice way to touch base with all the friends and businesses from out of state that I don't get to see everyday. I'm going to try and take a camera this year to be able to share some pics with those on Snowest that can't make it.

I agree. Getting a littly spendy to attend. Especially as the kids get over 12 and want to go on Saturday

just so I have this straight. 30 bucks is to much . but u and your bud head out for a weekend in a 30k truck yanking 25k in sleds in a 6k trailer with 2k worth of gear only to spend at least 300 in fuel and a few hundo on a place to sleep prob a extra 150 to eat and drink but the 30 bucks is just pushing the whole thing over the edge. LMFAO
as far as the Sunday thing goes the outlaw grass drags did not even have Sunday this yr . just Fri and Sat . barons should really think about that. most guys swapping are chomping at the bit to get in there fri morning any way . open the swap gates 600 thurs close 11am fri .open general admin gates at noon fri and cancel Sunday .

 

[Snowizard]

High priced snowmobile drags & swap? Try us Sat. Sept. 19th

The 13th Annual Brainerd Snodeos Club drags and swap at the Crow Wing County Fair Grounds, South East corner of city of Brainerd.
ONLY $5 general admission age 13 and over. Kids 12 & under free.

Much vintage racing, and many other classes.

$5.00 (flat fee) "test-and-tune" Friday eve 6-8pm for racers registered for Saturdays main events.

Brainerd Jaycees BEER concession Friday and Saturday.

Professional digital high speed finish line camera photo finish results.
(Hey, this system is super cool , used by many professional sport events, and besides it cost a bundle. You will like it. )

Last year we timed one race to 0.002 Seconds between 1st and 2nd place.
Thats "two-one thousandths of a second". Or 2 millliseconds .

Pre registration and much more info here: http://www.brainerdsnodeos.com/grassdrags.html

Main site, club info home page:http://www.brainerdsnodeos.com/index.html
Event 'flyer':

 

[NorthMNSledder]

just so I have this straight. 30 bucks is to much . but u and your bud head out for a weekend in a 30k truck yanking 25k in sleds in a 6k trailer with 2k worth of gear only to spend at least 300 in fuel and a few hundo on a place to sleep prob a extra 150 to eat and drink but the 30 bucks is just pushing the whole thing over the edge. LMFAO
as far as the Sunday thing goes the outlaw grass drags did not even have Sunday this yr . just Fri and Sat . barons should really think about that. most guys swapping are chomping at the bit to get in there fri morning any way . open the swap gates 600 thurs close 11am fri .open general admin gates at noon fri and cancel Sunday .

I wish!!! LOL

My average weekend cost to go riding.....$150.... but I guess I'm lucky for having a cabin I can ride from most of the winter. Sure we spend big money to head west a couple times a season but I'm not really sure how you can compare walking around a hay field dreaming of riding to actually going riding.

And not $30, $80 for two people. ($30 each and $20 parking to just get in the gate). But hay (pun intended) it's their event and they can do whatever they see fit with the prices.

Has Outlaws ever had a Sunday? I thought they have always been Friday and Saturday only for years?

And I guess the Sno Barrons plan worked for our group as I got a message this morning saying that my group wanted to go Sunday morning instead of Saturday morning. Whether cost, crowds, or weather they chose that option and since I need nothing from the swap area its fine by me.

 

[ezra]

yes the outlaws always had a sunday. but like hay days most swappers pulled out sun am or sat night. really only a few people stuck around and the racers who made the finals.
but again U have a cabin so call it 200k starting again the 30 bucks is not breaking the bank. I don't mind the cost because I know all the cash they toss back at the sport in grants to clubs . I get some are making a nice stipend but they deserve it a lot of work to put on a event of that size

 

[NorthMNSledder]

yes the outlaws always had a sunday. but like hay days most swappers pulled out sun am or sat night. really only a few people stuck around and the racers who made the finals.
but again U have a cabin so call it 200k starting again the 30 bucks is not breaking the bank. I don't mind the cost because I know all the cash they toss back at the sport in grants to clubs . I get some are making a nice stipend but they deserve it a lot of work to put on a event of that size

I love your money guesses on things. LOL Why not a 500k cabin or a 999k cabin? Wait......What if it's been in the family for generations..... I suppose I would have to count upkeep costs then and figure out how many days a year we use it and then divide that cost out. Do you want me to figure the tax value in that too or are we good just dropping this topic?

But at least it's not the high cost of being in their swap meet area right? A person could always go to Princeton......But to some that's just a "training camp" for Haydays anyway......

Or wait.........Are you a member now? Because your tune about the event has kind of changed over the years........

 

[Pro-8250]

SEE YOU THERE!

If you get the MNUSA magazine there is a Hay Days insert with tons of info on the event. Also check out the $6000 worth of prizes that they will be giving away towards the end of the insert. (Did I just reduce my chances of winning?)
Or go to Haydays.com.
For those who have never been there. Saturday is very busy compared to Sunday. If you go on Saturday, I prefer the afternoon. Things normally have calmed down by then. I like Sundays best. Nice to walk around have a beer and a hotdog and kick some tires and my favorite thing to do on either day is talk with resort owners. Especially the ones out west. I will probably make both days being that most of my friends and relatives will be there on Saturday.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

Well, another Haydays in the books. Got to spend a lot of time today with lots of vendors and it was a very mixed opinion on traffic. Lots said it was lighter on Saturday then the past couple years which seems strange because this was the best Haydays weather we have had in the past 10 years I bet. A couple felt like the numbers were inline with last year so who really knows. To my knowledge they do not release the admission totals so we might not really know. Plus I don't think you can say 100% what was the reason if the numbers were down. Lots of comments about the two day only pass on Saturday instead of the one day for the just the day for $5-$10 cheaper. I have never been out there on Sunday before but it seemed like pretty good crowds in the main areas but like others have said lots of swapper's already packed up by noon.

Alright enough of the negative.......The show was great as always and it was much nicer to be out there today when you could get a bit more time from the vendors. And once inside the gates the Sno Barrons did do a bunch of improvements around the grounds and not just a new beer barn like was posted on their Facebook page. While I do not think they made the right move with the $30 Saturday pricing once again they prove that they know how to run a large scale event. Sure gets a person fired up for the new season!!

 

[sweetxc654]

I agree that the price is getting up there..but then again what isn't expensive now! I feel bad for the big family that wants to go.

I only brought $800 dollars with me this year and i paid 60 to get in and spent a $100 on food so almost 25% went to just attending.

The improvements were nice and the attendance seemed about normal but people did stick around a lot later than in the past. Sunday was busier than normal this year.

I ended up going both days because they forced us to buy both days.

 

[Pro-8250]

It was a good time and good weather. I bought Thunderstruck 14, Boodockers 12, 509 Volume 10 and a Klim hat for $60 at the Thunderstruck tent. I always make a point to stop and talk to those guys. I just went Saturday. No one was there to help me put on my wrist band when I came in so I walked around all day with out one on. Nobody noticed.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

I agree that the price is getting up there..but then again what isn't expensive now! I feel bad for the big family that wants to go.

I only brought $800 dollars with me this year and i paid 60 to get in and spent a $100 on food so almost 25% went to just attending.

The improvements were nice and the attendance seemed about normal but people did stick around a lot later than in the past. Sunday was busier than normal this year.

I ended up going both days because they forced us to buy both days.

This was my first Sunday but when we left at 2pm the place was still very busy so it seemed like a good crowd. When the gates opened it was much slower then we had ever seen on a Saturday (super easy to walk right in) Maybe the $30 worked and got more people out Sunday. I would love to see the attendance numbers for last year Saturday/Sunday vs this year Saturday/Sunday. I just think the numbers would be cool to see as there is an insane amount of people at this event every year and they have to be high. 20,000 people? 50,000 people?