Dogs and Snow Go Go Go!
What are the perfect ingredients for a northern Michigan dog sled race and winter festival?
Jim Collins has the answer. "Snow and lots of state land," Collins said with a nod.
Race Coordinator for the Kalkaska Winterfest, Collins has been involved with the event for seven years, carrying on a tradition that was started more than half a century ago.
"In 1964, Frank Hall started looking for a place to host a dog sled race," Collins explained. "He selected Kalkaska after carefully looking over a state map and talking with the DNR. After securing a small purse, the first race was held in 1965."
This was well before the time of groomed snowmobile trails, but the local snowmobilers, known as the "Snow Packers Club," knew the land well and assumed the task of packing the trails for the dog sled race.
Things are more modernized these days and the Kalkaska Winterfest has earned plenty of acclaim for the race itself.
"The races are what most people come to see," Collins said. "We’re known throughout North America as one of the premier races in the sprint dog circuit and the dog weight pull is also very popular."
As an International Sled Dog Racing Association sanctioned event, the dogs, in different-sized teams, run on 2-, 4.8-, 6.6- , and 8.9-mile trails.
"The more dogs, the longer the racing loop," Collins explained.
The race is held on both Saturday and Sunday with participants’ times combined from both days to determine placings.
While there are some local participants, many of the dog sled drivers, known as mushers, come from all over the country. Racers and their dogs arrive from Minnesota, Maine, Virginia, and even Quebec.
The race is worth a large number of points toward year-end medals and the trail itself is often awarded "Trail of the Year" from the ISDRA.
"One year, we had the Jamaican Dog Sled Team attend our race," Collins said.
But, even if you don’t own a team of dogs and wouldn’t have the first idea how to drive a sled, there’s still plenty of fun to be had as a spectator at Winterfest.
A craft show highlights handcrafted items both days, a silent auction offers additional items for bid, and a country dance lets mushers shake it out on Saturday night from 7 to 11pm. Food is offered throughout the weekend.
"One of the main objectives is also to provide an outlet for other charities and organizations to use the festival as a fundraising tool," Collins said. "Kiwanis hosts the breakfasts, the Kalkaska Fairboard will host the lunches and we are trying to find a local brewery to sponsor a new adult beverage pavilion."
The majority of the mushers may be from out of town, but they contribute to the local economy while they’re in Kalkaska, another way Collins said the event benefits the region.
"We provide good, wholesome family fun and bring in tourists during a time of year when it is needed," he said. "The mushers buy food, gas and supplies while they are here, and the event brings a positive light to the community."
"I like the competition of the races, which bring world-class mushers and canine athletes to our little town," Collins said. "Even in Alaska, they know about Kalkaska Winterfest."
The Kalkaska Winterfest and dog sled races will take place Jan. 17 and 18, 2015. For more information and the complete schedule, visit www.kalkaskawinterfest.org.
View On Our Website