Waseca Sno-Secas put on a 'cool' show

A snowmobile show celebrating 60 years of the former local business Herter’s, took place at Southside Marine and More the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 30. There were classic and antique snowmobiles; everyone was kept warm with a wood fire and a diesel warmer outside. Even more machines and other vintage items were on display inside.

 

Sno-Secas vice president Terry Huber commented, “I’ve always been a Herter’s enthusiast. I was talking with a couple of friends and other collectors, and we thought this was a good idea. So far today it’s been a great turnout, we have lots of Waseca farmers here and owners who came in from as far away as Wisconsin.” There were about 30 snowmobiles displayed in the parking lot for public viewing, including a custom 1968 snowmobile called a “limo,” which could seat up to ten people.

 

Herter’s, which was both a retail store and a mail order catalog business for outdoor items including snowmobiles, was a Waseca organization that went out of business in 1981.

Snowmobiles made in Waseca used to be shipped to buyers all over the world in wooden crates. Huber’s desire to showcase the old business comes from his loyalty to Waseca:

“They were a Waseca business, that’s why we changed our club logo to the Herter’s logo.”

For sale inside Waseca Marine were hats, shirts and hoodies picturing an old-fashioned snowmobile with “Herter’s” written in silver on the side.

 

The classic and antique snowmobiles on display were manufactured from 1967 to 1976. Huber mentioned the very first Herter’s snowmobiles were made in 1966. They had an assortment of names including the Herter’s Husky 440, the Herter’s Nitro G, the Snow Falcon, the Arctic Trail Cat, the Sno Lepard and the Snow Wolf. The first patent for a snowmobile was granted in 1927 to Carl J. Eliason in Sayner, Wisc

 

Also on display were a 1968 receipt and numerous letters and other documents acquired at the time their machines were purchased. One piece of correspondence was signed by Herter’s employee Robert N. Stettner.

 

Waseca Marine also had KRUE Country radio coverage onsite. While Huber was talking to the host he said, “We changed our logo to better affiliate ourselves with Waseca. We’ve had at least a hundred people come through, and our owners showing their machines.” Sno-Secas president Marty Erdman was inside helping serve sloppy Joes and chips to hungry snowmobilers.

 

Local snowmobile enthusiasts are also planning the annual Mike Filzen Memorial Poker Run at noon on Feb. 7 at the Waseca Legion. That day, registration will be at 11 a.m. Another event will be the Toner’s Lake Vintage Ride on Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. with registration at 9.