I know it's cool to brag about how long you've been going to certain popular events (FYI: I've been going to Hay Days since 1953).

I'm not very cool, but here are 34 things I learned at the 2011 edition of this remarkable event.

As many here guessed, the announced Arctic Cat unveiling at Hay Days was the new-for-2012 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 ProCross race sled.

For the first time since 2004, the Arctic Cat race sled is largely identical to the Arctic Cat sleds the rest of us ride.

Click to read about what will make this a championship-ready machine for racers, and why it's important for the rest of us.

Captured by Swedish/Arctic Cat mad-man Bengan Westerlund, this image of a legendary Team Arctic champ sets up a trivia question for today:

Who is it?

The first person (other than Stephen Knox or Bengan) to answer correctly receives one of my infamous care packages.

I just received an invitation to a new-for-2012 Arctic Cat snowmobile unveiling at Hay Days this coming weekend.

Hmmm... I wonder what new sled Arctic Cat will pull the wraps off?

Any suggestions?

Cheers to everyone observing Labor Day weekend.

After this weekend, Summer is over (in my view, at least).

I believe there are still many more machines tucked away in barns, shops and garages.

And I believe that time will eventually shake loose their roots, enabling them to surface.

Question is, what machines?

(Click to read.)

The last weekend of September often sees Arctic Cat people the world-over enjoying the final fleeting glimmers of summer.

Some are going to the Outlaw Grass Drags/Swap Meet in Princeton, Minn., some are just chillin' with friends while others are buying new jeans and shoes for school.

Meanwhile, Team Arctic's Kirk Hibbert is enjoying a day on the river, riding his Tigershark, hanging-out with Joey and wondering who the heck is chasing him on WetBikes.

Click for the end-of-summer time warp.

I’m glad that Arctic Cat went fish'n for a couple years, because it ultimately led the company to where it is today.

Click to read, please.

If you weren't able to attend Arctic Cat's 50th Anniversary Party, this sweet 10-minute video gives a brief look at what went down.

I wonder if 1970 World Heavyweight Boxing champ Smokin' Joe Frazier is still a big fan of snowmobiling?

Click to see a few pix.

I've had a couple of conversations recently with people who are kicking around the idea of riding (just for fun) the famed Winnipeg-to-St. Paul race route.

Click to read about it.

One of the more popular attractions at the Arctic Cat 50th Anniversary was the return of Cat Girl.

Click to see a few pics.

Of the many interesting displays at the Arctic Cat 50th celebration, one that kept catching my eye was the prototype engine display produced by the engineering department.

Click to see and read about it.

The Arctic Cat 50th Anniversary Celebration was even better than I'd hoped for.

Click to see some pix and read one man's thoughts.

Amazing stuff here in TRF!

Here's a quick report from Friday at the Arctic Cat 50th Celebration.

Click to see some pix.

A busy day at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls, today. It's staggering the stuff I saw today, and it's not all here yet!

Click to see some pix.

Of course I'm just a bit biased, but I think you're going to like the just-released "50 Years of the Cat" book.

It's a pictorial journey through the past 50 years of Arctic Cat that I wrote with the help of many great people. It's on sale this weekend at the 50th party, and soon at Cat dealerships.

Click for more info.

Our favorite freestyler checks in with a Wednesday Pre-50th Report from Thief River Falls.

Click for some pix.

Who is this capped crusader, and why is he prepping historic sleds (and decades of race gear) to display at the 50th?

Captain America?

Corporal Crunch?

Bobby Flame checks in with some photos of what's movin' and shakin' in TRF as Arctic Cat people prepare for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Click to see what his wandering eye uncovered.