Gunflint Winter Tracks Festival-2009

Gunflint Trail, MN-The Gunflint Trail presents the fifth annual Winter Tracks, a festival to celebrate winter. This year’s event is scheduled from February 26 March 1, at a variety of locations along northeastern Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail. The members of the Gunflint Trail Association invite everyone to “Come on up and play like we do!”

"We have a well-rounded festival with great opportunities for all ages to experience wintertime fun on the Trail. More and more families are discovering the classic outdoor fun of winter recreation and activities in the northwoods. Go to www.wintertracks.com to view and download our brochure to plan your itinerary,” says Barb Gecas, an
event organizer and co-owner of Heston’s Lodge.

In addition to all the Winter Tracks favorites such as the Mini Winter Olympics, broomball games, snowshoeing, free skiing on the Gunflint Trail Nordic Ski Trail System, snowmobile Radar Run and Poker Run, ice fishing, dog sled rides, indoor traditional crafts and wilderness demonstrations, the Mongolian Firepot Dinner, and, of course, the Snow Boot Ball, there are some exciting new additions to the Winter Tracks events.

Saturday on Gunflint Lake a Ski Kiting demonstration will be conducted by kiter Darren McChristie from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Other new event are the Bearskin Wilderness Pursuit Ski Race (www.bearskin.com/race/index.html) with sprints and kids’ races on Friday, freestyle on Saturday, and classic on Sunday. At the Gunflint Conference Center on Saturday storyteller Rose Arrowsmith Decoux, Artist and Author Kelly Dupre, and Kite boarding Instructor Darren McChristie will be featured.

Other new activities include a Wolf Howling Night Hike and a Boreal Birding Hike at Gunflint Lodge, a Snow Sculpture Competition at Heston’s Lodge on Saturday, and Sleigh Rides at Okontoe throughout the festival.

On Friday evening, the popular radio show The Road House, will broadcast live from Trail Center, courtesy of WTIP 90.7 and 91.7 FM. Enjoy dinner while you listen, then stay for a story telling session.

On Saturday night, everyone is invited to the Snow Boot Ball and Festival Banquet at Gunflint Lodge. Enjoy dinner and dancing with the Trail’s End Band, a local favorite.

The festival is open to the public, and many of the events are free. Register at your host lodge or at Trail Center to receive your festival button.

To learn more about the Gunflint Trail, and to find lodging, visit us
at http://www.gunflint-trail.com or call
1-800-338-6932.

For Winter Tracks information, visit http://www.wintertracks.com or call
1-800-338-6932.