Our honored award winner for 2023 has dedicated over 50 years of service to snowmobiling. His passion for snowmobiling started in 1967 in Minnesota.

 

In 1982, he and his family moved to Cresco where they quickly became involved with the Drift Runners Snowmobile Club. Yes, we are honoring Dale Vagts tonight. In 1983, Dale was instrumental in re-introducing the popular Sno-Fest to the Cresco winter scene. It once again quickly became the largest and most popular winter event in Iowa with several thousand snowmobilers converging on Cresco for the weekend.

 

Dale decided to become involved with the Iowa State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) in 1983 and was elected Director for Region 5. He later went on to serve as ISSA's Vice President from 1988-1990 and President from 1990-1992.

 

He was instrumental in bringing the ISSA annual Charity ride to Cresco in 1985. The Charity ride and brunch was held in conjunction with the Sno-Fest until 2001.

 

In 1985, Dale and Dan Martin exclusively designed and presented to EMC Insurance Companies a unique snowmobile trail liability insurance program. V&V Insurance, Dale’s company, wrote policies for Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota in the first years, spreading to as many as 24 states in the coming years. Over twenty years later, V&V Insurance is still insuring more than 700 clubs in 20 states. This program drastically changed and improved trail liability insurance for snowmobile clubs nationwide.

 

Dale has been an Iron Dog Brigade member since 1983 & has, for many years, given the invocation at our Annual Banquet at the International Snowmobile Congress’ as well as at the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame held in Eagle River, Wisconsin in September of each. Dale continues to work tirelessly every day for snowmobiling, locally and nationally.

 

Dale has been actively involved in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame since his well-deserved induction in 2007. In 2017 Dale took over the job of Treasurer of the ISHOF. Dale continues to remain active in his church and community in roles too numerous to mention.

 

Thankfully, we can say he has survived some serious medical issues and a snowmobile accident this the winter of 2022 which has put a great smile on his face.

 

We feel Dale has been passed over too long for this important award from the Iron Dog Brigade. He definitely deserves the recognition that goes with this award.