ELY- Many mushers and WolfTrack Classic followers turned out at Grand Ely Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 15 for a night of music by Van & the Free Candies and fun bidding on auction items, door prizes and puppies. The event kicked off the online silent auction “Dollars for Doggies,” which is the main fundraiser of the year for the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race.
Several area businesses and artists donated items to be auctioned at the kick off party. They included: Dorothy Molter Museum, Mike’s Liquor, Merhar’s Ace Hardware, Up A Creek Paddles by Linda Burgess. Contributors to the door prizes drawn throughout the evening included: Kristen and Coral Switajewski, Veterans on the Lake Resort, Raven Words Press, Dutchman Tree Service, Gene Hicks Gourmet Coffee, and Ely’s Old Fashioned Candy.
The puppies, Thor and Loki, were far and away the big hit of the evening attracting not only event attendees but also hotel guests who couldn’t resist coming down the hall for a snuggle. Peter McClelland and his daughter Morgan of White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures brought the cute canines. White Wildness is also a silent auction donor. They have donated a half-day dog sled trip for two people and are past sponsors of the race. Morgan is also signed up to run the 6 dog, 30 mile race.
Musher registration for the race opened Oct. 14 for teams that ran the 2022 race. So far, more than 20 teams have signed up. New musher registration opens Nov. 1 with space for 60 teams in the combined event. There are two races: the six-dog, 30 mile and the eight-dog, 50 mile race. Registration will be open until the race is full and after that, there will be a wait list.
The annual sponsor drive is now underway. With openings at all sponsorship levels; premier sponsor, purse sponsors, lead dog, and many more. For more information about being a WolfTrack Classic race sponsor contact Ellen Cashman at wolftrack@ely.org.
The silent auction is online until Nov. 5 when the winners will be contacted. All 56 items can be viewed and bid on at  https://www.32auctions.com/WTC2023.
Work continues on trail permits, planning the musher dinner, awards dinner, start & finish set up and sign up for all the volunteers needed to run a well-organized and safe race. If interested in volunteering, sign up online https://wolftrackclassic.com/volunteer-info.
WolfTrack Classic weekend is Feb. 26 and 27 and full to the brim with fun events for the whole family. For more information on the weekend events, race times and other questions call Race Director Ellen Cashman at 218-365-6123 or visit www.wolftrackclassic.com.