I was originally thinking of going to HayDays, but after reading a lot about the recent trends, I'm hoping to go to Grayslake in northern IL. Could someone please tell me what I may expect as I've never been to a sled show. How does it differ from HayDays?

I'm actually wanting to buy a 136" kit for one of my Viper ER's with a track at the sled show.

Also, when is it? Where to stay? etc.

thanks,
joel

Woody, I have been to Grayslake for several years, seems to get better every year. I can't comapre it to Haydays, but I know it's on a smaller scale.

From where you live, I would say it is worth the trip. Big name heavy hitter grass drags, plenty of merchandise, apparel, Shade tree, Manufacturers, Swap area, used sleds, etc. I was going to go to Minn this year, but got IRL tickets for that weekend... I wouldn't miss Grayslake, Sept 26-28 Check link below

Grayslake Show (http://www.snowmobileusa.com/shows.html)

Joel, the G Lake show is ok in my book. It really depends if you want to see some racing or not. If so, then this is the show for you, compared to the Milwaukee show. The reason I like the Milwaukee show better is everything is under one roof. At the G Lake show, the displays are in seperate buildings, more like our Highland fairgrounds. And Milwaukee isn't much farther for us to get to than the G Lake show....timewise, it's probably real close, because the G Lake show is quite a bit off the interstate, and it gets congested. I was at the G Lake show about 5 years ago or so, and haven't been back since I went to the Milwaukee show the next year.

I agree with Jim. If you are looking to buy products from dealers, it's better in Milwaukee. The new Expo center is huge, and you aren't constantly bumping elbows like you will in Grays Lake, but Grays Lake has the grass drags. That's why I usually go to both of them. You can usually get great deals on all of last years clothes. Oh yeah, the swap meet in Grays Lake is usually quite a bit bigger, if you are looking for used stuff.

Snowmobile USA sled shows (http://www.snowmobileusa.com/shows.html#wisc)

Joel,

That was the first sled show I went to and I enjoyed it as I'd never seen grass drags before. Also, I like to mill around and look at other people's stuff they bring in to sell. I would go again this year if I had that weekend off, but I don't. However, I do have the weekend off of the Milwaukee show; which is where I'll be headed this year.

If you need a real nice place to stay, get on Hotwire.com and start your hotel search for that area. When you come to the one that is located in Vernon Hills, choose that. I've stayed there two seperate times now and the two places that participate with Hotwire are awesome. They have full kitchens, office areas, full breakfast, you name it and each time the price was only about 30 bucks or so.

Like I said, me and the family will be headed to the other show later in October, otherwise, I'd try to head up there with you.

Thanks again for the Map Source CD's,
Jon

Ive gone to the grayslake show for at least 10 years maybe more i cant remember. I live 20 minutes away and I even plow some snow for them. They have one of the best swapmeets ive been to. Great grass drags and alot of manufacturers stuff if you like to wear that dayglo sh!t. They should think about doing a snocross race and freestyle comp at the show because they already have the motocross track there. Its worth coming to at least once.