At right: Looking at one of the 256 sleds entered in the Naubinway sled show, Howard Miller (left) of River Falls, Wisconsin, who has attended the antique sled show in Naubinway for six years, chats with fellow snowmobile enthusiasts Charl Harm (middle) and Rick Drewyour, both of Lake Ann, who were attending the event for the first time. This year's Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Show in Naubinway featured 256 entries, including eight featured as homemade sleds, Saturday, February 21. Snowmobiles were displayed along US-2 in Naubinway during the free show.

Also featured at the show this year was the Boa-Ski Brotherhood, a group of vintage Boa-Ski snowmobile owners who bring their sleds to one show each year. This year, for its 10th anniversary, the group chose to come to Naubinway.

The group was founded in 1998 by brothers John and Jim Wanasek of West Allis, Wisconsin. The brotherhood now has 34 members, and inducted new recruit Greg Karbowski of Holland in Naubinway Friday evening, February 20.

They displayed 19 Boa-Skis at Naubinway's show.

Jerry Schmitt Jr. (left), in a rare 2000 Trailer Roamer, and his father, Jerry Schmitt Sr., in a 1983 Trail Manta, enjoy the Naubinway show together, displaying a few of Mr. Schmitt Jr.'s 20 antique sleds. Boa-Ski sled production was short-lived, from 1968 to 1978. Boa-Skis were manufactured in La Guadeloupe, Quebec.

The company was bought out by All Sport, a company more known for its three-wheelers, which went out of business in 1978.

"We're having a great time here," said Jim Wanasek. "We rented a house and 14 of us are crammed in there having a good time."

John Wanasek said most Boa-Ski owners like the unique aspect of the snowmobile.

"It's rare and kind of obscure," he said. "It's that uniqueness, I think, that draws people to it."

Jerry Schmitt Jr., formerly of St. Ignace and who now lives just west of Milwaukee, brought in a few of his vintage snowmobiles, a 1983 Trail Manta, a 1973 Raider, of which only 20,000 were ever made, and a rare 2000 Trailer Roamer, one of only 150 made.

Event coordinator Charlie Vallier stands next to one of his favorite entries, a 1953 Eliason snowmobile, owned by Fred Edgerton of Hale. The sled features a wooden base board. He participated in the show along with his father, Jerry Schmitt Sr., of St. Ignace.

Mantas were first built in 1983 by Bob Bracey, who left his job as head engineer and designer for Raider to create his own line of sleds.

The Manta, said Mr. Schmitt Jr., became the most successful sleds made in Michigan.

One hundred thirty-six sleds participated in Friday morning's breakfast ride between Naubinway and Engadine. The group was treated to a warm breakfast by American Legion Post 290, which drew 160 people, a record crowd for the event, said Marilyn Vallier, who coordinates Naubinway's antique snowmobile show with her husband, Charlie Vallier.

Three plaques were awarded to vintage sled owners: Roger Jarema of Troy received the Fun Ride Favorite/ Antique plaque for his 1964 Arctic Cat. Harvey Dezin of Buffalo, Minnesota, received the Fun Ride Favorite/ Vintage for his 1969 Alpine Ski-Doo. The Tow Strap Award went to the 1967 Diablo Rouge, owned by Cherri Giannunzio of Big Bay.

At left: Marilyn and Charlie Vallier have coordinated the annual Naubinway Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Show for 17 years. They also operate the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum, which they plan to expand with proceeds raised from the show. A raffle with the top prize of a 1970 Mercury snowmobile was won by Gretchen Gregory of Naubinway.

The rest of the raffle results follow:

2nd - Duane Fish of Rock, snowmobile rocker

3rd - Bruce Gustafson of Naubinway, $100 StudBoy gift certificate

4th - Darrin Willis of Hopedale, Illinois, $100 BP gas card, Shute oil

5th - Howard Miller of River Falls, Wisconsin, $100 StudBoy gift certificate

6th - Julie Chambers of Metamora, snowsuit

7th - Ron Whitman of Bryan, Ohio, two Kewadin Casino show tickets

At right: Phil "Santa" Drake, of Brookston, Indiana, demonstrates how he starts his "magical" snowmobile from across the street (while hiding his keyless starting device in his hand) to three-year-old Lindsey (left) and six-year-old Sydney Lake of Marquette, during Saturday's Naubinway show. The toddlers' parents are Jim and Christy Lake. It was the first time the family attended the show. Mr. Drake entered two sleds into the show, a 1970 Panther and a 1979 Chrysler.