Last weekend’s snowmobile race (the Munising 300) and the Trenary Outhouse Classic were a huge success. The turnout of competitors and spectators was tremendous. At the outhouse races, the race had a team competing all the way from Japan! The two gentlemen were part of a Japanese reality show and are trying to compete in a variety of competitions around the world. Another big news item from the outhouse races was the event being sponsored by Charmin® toilet paper! The Charmin company also participated in the event by entering their own outhouse. Pretty cool! Here’s a couple articles about the two events. They include Charmin competing in the outhouse race and the results of the snowmobile race. You can also visit the Munising 300 Facebook Fan Page for photos and video from the event.
Munising Bay Ice Drags
This weekend, there are two more events happening in the Munising area. For the snowmobile enthusiasts, head down to the Munising Bay Boat Launch for ice drags (sanctioned by the Masters Circuit)! The event is open to any snowmobiler and there will be a variety of classes – stock thru modified. Come down and see how fast your sled will go on a 3-lane, 660-foot drag strip! Registration will take place from 8:00am to 11:00am and races will start at noon. There will also be concessions and a warming tent on-site. Kids can also compete in 120 races and there will be free snowmobile rides for the youngsters, too. Following the event, awards and a live band will be at Foggy’s Restaurant. Visit our event postings page to view the flyer.
For the silent sport folks, head to Valley Spur ski trails for the annual Taste & Glide. Participants pay a fee and then cross-country ski or snowshoe from one trailside buffet table to the next. Multiple tables will be set-up along the trail so you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods made by Sydney’s Restaurant Catering. At the Valley Spur lodge, Chris Valenti will be entertaining guests with his music from noon to 3:00pm. The Taste & Glide runs from 11:00am-3:00pm and the cost is $18 for adults and $10 for children under $12. Additional information can be found on the Valley Spur website.
The weather forecast looks great for the rest of the week and this weekend. They’re saying temperatures could reach close to 40 degrees! This will definitely feel like a heat wave. Winter is far from over here in the U.P. and we’re bound to get a few more snowstorms this year. As you can see on the Munising weather page, we have a substantial amount of snow on the ground. It won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Have a good weekend and we hope to see you around!
Wow, we’re already into the last week of February! This past weekend’s Munising Winterfest was a big success and we had excellent weather the entire weekend. The Midnight Run dog sled race finished up Saturday morning and mushers said the course was excellent. The overnight temperature was near single digits so this made the snow fast and the dogs love to run in the cold temps. We’re currently going through the 300 pictures we took during the weekend and we’ll be posting them very soon.
This weekend there’s a few more events happening in the area and the weather is looking nice again. On Saturday & Sunday is the U.S.C.C. Munising 300 snowmobile race held at the Cherrywood Lodge in Wetmore. (About 3 miles east of Munising on M-28.) This cross-country race will have 5 races on Saturday and 6 races on Sunday. Check out their snowmobile race poster for race times. The racers are divided into different classes depending on their level of experience and the type of snowmobile they are riding. If you’re into racing and snowmobiles, this is definitely for you.
Also on Saturday, Feb. 27th is the 17th annual Trenary Outhouse Classic! This fun event draws a huge crowd to watch outhouse racers push their creations down Main Street. The festivities begin at noon and the outhouse racing starts at 2:00p.m. Trophies, cash and prizes are awarded for several categories including the fastest times and appearance. If you’d like to enter an outhouse, there’s still time! The competition is open to everyone (kids thru adults) and you can find building requirements on their website. So make sure to bring your camera or camcorder, for this truly unique U.P. event!
As for the weather in Munising, we’ve had great weather for the last several days. Last night the lake-effect snow kicked-in and dumped 6+ inches of new snow in the area. The kids are happy because the schools are closed today, not sure about the parents. So we hope to see you here this weekend for some excellent U.P. fun. Next week I’ll tell you about the snowmobile ice drags happening on Munising Bay on Saturday, March 6th. Have a great weekend!
Video clip from last year’s Outhouse Classic in Trenary:
The Hillside Party Store has officially opened under new ownership! The Hillside is located on M-28 west and is near the city boat launch. The store features fuel, grocery items, propane fill-up and a fine selection of liquor and beer. They are conveniently located on a snowmobile/ATV trail so you can easily fill your machine. Visit their Explore Munising listing to learn more about what they have to offer. If you get chance, stop by there today as they’re celebrating their grand opening!
Here’s some photos from their ribbon cutting ceremony held earlier today:
Ribbon cutting ceremony
Officially open for business!
Stop by for their grand opening
Located on M-28 just west of downtown & on a snowmobile/ATV trail
It’s definitely been wintry around here and it’s perfect timing as Munising’s Winterfest kicks off today. Over the last few days, we’ve received 10-12″ of new snow. This is good news for the upcoming dog sled races and Winterfest happening through weekend. The weekend forecast also looks good and we hope you can make it for a great family weekend.
The main feature of Winterfest is the finish of the Midnight Run dog sled race. This 89-mile, 8-dog race begins on Friday evening in Gwinn, MI and finishes Saturday morning (approx. 7am-2pm) in downtown Munising. It’s pretty exciting to see the dogs and mushers making their final charge to the finish line. Come out and cheer them on! Beside this race, there’s also the U.P. 200 dog sled race happening at the same time. This 12-dog race begins in Marquette, MI, on Friday night, and travels through the Munising area up to Grand Marais, MI. From there, they turn around, travel back to Marquette and finish on Sunday. Along the way, there are designated checkpoints and rest areas for the racers. Spectators can also visit those spots to see the race teams taking a break from the action. A dog sled race is a must-see event!
Last year's pet parade
Besides the dog sled race, Winterfest features winter games, food, music and other events throughout the entire weekend. Check out the Winterfest page to view a schedule of all the events. A new event to this year’s Winterfest is the Cardboard Classic Sled Race at Bayshore Park on Friday night. This free event is a competition to build your own cardboard sled and race it down a hill. During the sled race, there will be food, beverages and music in the Bayshore Park Pavilion. The fun begins at 5pm and pre-registration to compete is requested. Even if you don’t want race, this should be a pretty fun event to watch!
Throughout Saturday and Sunday there’s a whole list of activities planned. From snow games to snowshoeing and dog sled rides, everyone will be having a great time. Other events include a waterfall/ice hikes by U.P. Overland, a snowshoe demo/hike by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and an evening campfire gathering put on by the Boy Scouts. The pet parade, kiddie mutt races and the human dog sled races are also fun events to participate in or just watch from the sideline.
2009's human dog sled race
On Saturday night, the Snowball Dance will take place at the Munising Moose Lodge from 8pm-midnight. The popular band Evergreen Seven will jam the night away and get you on the dance floor. There will be food and beverages available.
In the last few days the lake-effect snow has finally come back. The larger amounts fell west of Munising but we did receive some here to help freshen things up. The snowmobile trails are being reported as in good shape and the cross-country ski trails, at Valley Spur, are reported to be excellent. Last weekend, the ice climbing festival had a huge crowd and the weather cooperated, too. It looked like everyone had a great time. We’ll be uploading more pictures soon.
Ice climbers at last weekend's Ice Fest
As we continue through February, the events in and around Munising continue, too! This Saturday is the 26th annual Moose Lodge Fishing Derby that takes place at beautiful Au Train Lake. The contest runs from 7a.m. to 3 p.m. and the entry fee is only $10. Kids 12 and under are FREE with a registered adult. You can register at the Moose Lodge or the Boat House on the lake. Following the derby, there will be dinner served at the Moose Lodge, in Munising, from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Then at 6:00 p.m., prizes will be awarded for a variety of fish categories. The best part… it’s the state of Michigan’s free fishing weekend! This means you don’t need a fishing license for the derby, but you do still need to follow laws and regulations. The weather forecast is also looking nice for Saturday with a high temperature of 27 degrees.
If fishing isn’t your thing then maybe head to Grand Marais for their annual Cabin Fever Saturday (Feb. 13th). Bring the family there for fun and food as they celebrate winter with snowmobile and snowshoe poker runs, a chili cookoff, a cardboard sled competition, a snowman building contest, and more!
Then on Sunday (Feb. 14th), get a tasty bowl of chili at the annual Chili Fest Benefit for the Alger County Animal Shelter. The benefit will be held at the American Legion, in Munising, from noon-4 p.m. Come out and support the animals at the shelter.
So as you can see, there’s a lot happening this weekend! We’ve also updated our Munising Winterfest page with a more complete schedule of events. In closing, here’s a neat clip from the early 60’s of the North American Snowmobile Championship held in Munising. Recognize anyone?
This weekend’s ice climbing festival is one of the most unique events for the Upper Peninsula and the Midwest. The 27th annual Michigan Ice Fest is happening this Friday thru Sunday (February 5-7th) and it’s sure to be a great time! From beginners to experts, everyone is invited to come to Munising and experience climbing the beautiful ice formations that Mother Nature develops. The weekend will include ice climbing product demonstrations, clinics, instructional courses, social gatherings and inspiring slideshows from world-class climbers. For those that don’t have equipment, no problem! There will be equipment rentals available for a nominal fee. As always, Sydney’s Restaurant will be the official headquarters for the event. Registration, booths and the nighttime events will be held there. Visit the Down Wind Sports’ Ice Fest page for more information and downloadable program.
Wow, next Monday is already February and it looks like it’s going to be a fun month! Every weekend there is a great event happening in the Munising area. So if you haven’t made it up to the Upper Peninsula, this is definitely a good time to visit the area. Many of the events are unique to the U.P. and you’ll definitely not be disappointed. From an ice climbing festival to a dog sled race and Winterfest–it’s going to be a good month! Below is an overview of what’s happening in February. Over the next few weeks, I’ll post a more complete write-up of the upcoming events. Make sure to visit our Winter Events page for the complete details.
February Event Highlights:
Feb. 5-7: Ice Climbing Festival
Feb. 13: Ice Fishing Derby // Grand Marais Cabin Fever
Feb. 18-21: U.P. 200 Dog Sled Race // Munising Winterfest
Yesterday's lake-effect snow blast, E. Superior St. & Elm Ave. intersection
If you’re wondering about the weather, the “Thaw” has ended and we’re in a deep freeze right now. The daily high temperature is reaching, maybe, 10 degrees while the overnight low is around 0 degrees. We’ve also had lake-effect snow bands develop in the last couple days that drop some much needed snow. Yesterday, we received about 6″ of the white stuff here in town. The forecast is showing much of the same except for the temperature rising to the low-20s for the daytime high. (Great U.P. winter weather!)
So, plan your trip, pack your bags and head up north for winter fun!
It’s been another quiet week around here. We’re still in the midst of the “January Thaw” but it looks to be ending by early next week. We had some really beautiful weather last weekend with the temperature in the mid-30s and sunny skies. It did snow a few inches during the week but nothing too significant. Munising Bay is seeing more and more ice shacks on the big lake. The ice fishing seems to be pretty good with folks catching some really nice whitefish. (Please use caution when venturing out there.)
If you haven’t had whitefish, you’re missing out! One of my favorites! Many restaurants around the Upper Peninsula have it on their menu. From sandwiches to fillets and even chowder, it can be cooked a variety of ways. If you’ve seen the movie “Forrest Gump”, it’s similar to when Bubba is telling Forrest the number of ways shrimp can be cooked. Just kidding! I prefer my whitefish fillet broiled with lemon-pepper or cajun seasoning. So the next time you’re in the area, visit one of our Munising restaurants for a great whitefish meal. If you have a favorite whitefish recipe, tell us about it.
Speaking of fishing, the 26th annual Munising Moose Lodge Fishing Derby is happening on Saturday, February 13th. The event takes place at Au Train Lake and the best part; it’s on Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend! No fishing licensed required to participate (must still follow regulations, though). Visit our virtual bulletin board to read the event’s flyer.
It’s been a pretty quiet week around here. We haven’t received any significant snowfall and the temperature has been pretty mild for mid-January. Since about Wednesday we’ve been in the low 30s and this weekend looks really warm – upper 30s, close to 40. By Tuesday, though, the forecast shows the temps. will be dropping back to normal and snow (yahoo!). Some new snowfall will definitely help freshen up what’s currently on the ground. On Munising Bay, more and more ice shanties are appearing daily. The entire Bay “looks” froze over but the level of safety is very, very questionable. Closer to shore, I’ve heard there’s about 6-8 inches of ice and people have been catching whitefish. Until it gets colder, I’ll keep buying whitefish at the grocery store.
In the last week, we’ve added some new webpages to Explore Munising. The new pages feature Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Hiawatha National Forest and the hidden gem – Grand Island Recreation Area. The pages include things to do and see, maps, helpful links and other resources. Each recreation area lists a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities that are available throughout the year.
EVENT:
If you’re having rummage sale withdrawals, then Wetmore Hall is the place for you tomorrow (Saturday, January 16th) from 10:00am-4:00pm. This fun event is a great fundraiser for the Alger Cancer Support Fund. Go check it out!
Take a sick day tomorrow and drive up (or over) to Munising for this Saturday’s (Jan. 9th) 4th annual Valley Spur Ski Bash! The Ski Bash is a cross-country ski event that features a few different race lengths for all levels of skiers. It’s your choice whether you ski for fun or compete with other racers. No matter what, you’re guaranteed to have a good time and see some real Upper Peninsula beauty. The trails at Valley Spur will take you through the beautiful hardwoods and rolling hills of the Hiawatha National Forest. The race begins with a shotgun start at 10:00am at the Valley Spur Ski Lodge (and will also finish there). You can register and pick up your race packets from 8:00-9:30am the morning of the race or register online! The races, themselves, are the 24K Bigfoot’s Revenge (classic or freestyle) or the 12K Eki Loppett (classic). Following the race (at 1:30pm) there will be an awards ceremony at the Falling Rock Cafe (on M-28) in downtown Munising. Awards and medals will be given out to the top 5 male & female racers and top 3 male & female age division winners. It’s going to be a great time and the weather forecast looks really good for Saturday!
If you’d like to pre-register for the event, there’s still time to do that! Visit the Valley Spur Ski Trail website for more information.
Event Details: 4th Annual VALLEY SPUR SKI BASH Saturday, January 9th, 2010 • 10:00am start
Valley Spur Ski Trails (3.5 miles south of Munising, off M-94)
24K Bigfoot’s Revenge (classic or freestyle) & 12 Eki Loppett (classic)
Awards presented at 1:30pm, Falling Rock Cafe, downtown Munising
Also, in the last week we’ve added over a 100 new fans to our Facebook page. Thanks! Let’s keep adding them!
