The CopperDog 150 sled dog race (
http://copperdog150.com) brings the communities surrounding Calumet, MI, together for three days every February. Mushers from across the United States and Canada compete in this volunteer-run event, with up to 500 people assisting. Keweenaw National Historical Park’s Calumet Visitor Center is located at the heart of the race. Thousands of visitors line the streets to witness the race start a half block away. Throughout the event, community members line the race trail handing out warm beverages and snacks to visitors and mushers alike. This premiere dog sled race is a true community event that starts and ends within the boundaries of Keweenaw National Historical Park.
Inspired by the broad-based community involvement, the Calumet Visitor Center will offer three floors of museum exhibits, public restrooms, and special programs free of charge during the CopperDog event. Homemade snacks for sled dogs and their human friends will accompany a visual presentation and demonstration about how dog teams, handlers, and mushers prepare for a 150-mile race. Presentations about the history of dogsledding on the Keweenaw Peninsula and the copper mining era, hands-on activities, and crafts will further engage visitors in the Keweenaw’s history. The CopperDog event is a great way for people of all ages to get excited about being outdoors no matter the weather while learning about the park and the history of dogsledding in their own backyard!
