Here we go again! Once again, we’re staring down both barrels at the 2024 edition of HAY DAYS – the most iconic, longest running powersports consumer show anywhere on the planet.
That intro has been true for over 50 years without much debate whatsoever. Here’s what will be interesting in Long Branch, Minnesota this coming weekend.
Last season’s Hay Days was one of the strongest showings of the sport of snowmobiling in a few decades. To say the weather doesn’t affect Hay Days attendance would be a huge understatement. I don’t mean the weather for the day of the event – I mean the weather from the previous snowmobile season. In the case of last year’s Hay Days, pretty much the entire snowmobile market had an amazing winter, and it translated into a strong Hay Days event.
This past winter was – by many enlightened observers, possibly the worst (lack of) snow year in recorded history. From the Atlantic and Maritime states and provinces through the central trail systems of the mideast to the expanse of the midwest and into the mountains, there was so little snow some buyers of new iron last year – actually more than some – didn’t even spin their tracks. The east’s iconic Quebec trails were snow-starved and run into the dirt while the western US market dealt with less snow than anyone we know has ever seen. In a word – how about three words – it was painful.
So here we sit on the cusp of another Hay Days. Our review of the site plan looks promising with exhibitor counts appearing respectable. What we or anyone else can’t predict is how big the crowd will be this weekend.
For sure, a lot of last year’s attendees cleaned the place out of carbides, oil, studs, helmets, suits and of course late model current and non-current sleds. After all, most riders this time last year actually needed to spend sizeable jing to replenish their stashes of consumable parts, garments and accessories in preparation for what was supposed to be another big snow year.
The question we ask is this: What is the temperature of the snowmobile marketplace as the 2024 edition of Hay Days rolls out this weekend? We’ll all know the answer to that important question when the gates close on Sunday night. Hay Days is the most influential predictor of the market year after year.
So, without further adieu, here’s wishing an awesome Hay Days weekend kicking off a winter that turns back the hands of time and provides snow in feet, not inches, everywhere you and the team here at SUPERTRAX and SNOWTRAX ride.
WHEN: September 7th and 8th, 2024
WHERE: 38740 Oriole Ave, North Branch, MN
INFO: haydays.com
