Jaymie Depew

Three popular events are once again taking place this month in Alger County after a year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ice climbing, sled dogs, and pushing outhouses along a snowy track – the unique celebrations bring life to the area in the dead of winter:

Michigan Ice Fest, Feb. 9-13

Kicking off the month is Michigan Ice Fest in Munising. Originating in 1991, the non-competitive event offers classes and workshops for climbers of all skill levels, gatherings at local establishments, presentations, ceremonies, and more, throughout the week.

Last year’s activities took place virtually.

“So much has changed since those early years, but the past two years has taught us that there is still value in some of our old traditions. There is no digital replacement for sitting around the bar telling tall tales of past adventures,” the 2022 event booklet states. “Even though our family is a little (or a lot) bigger than we were in 1991, we still know the best part of climbing is the community, and that this community is at its best when we come together.

“The last two years have been hard. The 2021 festival was supposed to be a huge celebration of our 30th anniversary, but we know how that turned out. We sat at our computers watching a few presentations, maybe sent a few photos or messages to stay in touch, but we didn’t have much to celebrate. We missed our community.”

During the event, ice climbing takes place mostly in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. For those that can’t attend the festival, Down Wind Sports in Munising offers guided ice climbing tours throughout the season, as well.

For more information, visit michiganicefest.com or downwindsports.com.

The Mush Bus, Feb. 19

The UP 200, Midnight Run, and Jack Pine 30 sled dog festivities will take place Feb. 17-21 this year, with the mush bus, which will be narrated by Dan Truckey of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Museum at Northern Michigan University, taking place on Feb. 19.

The mush bus will depart from the Holiday Inn parking lot that Saturday in Marquette and pick up Munising passengers at Falling Rock Cafe around 11:45 a.m. The bus will arrive in Grand Marais around 1 p.m. where people can see the UP 200 sled dog teams up close as they stop for a mandatory rest in the little town on the bay. This is the perfect time to check out the local businesses as well, as most are within walking distance.

The bus will leave Grand Marais after the silent auction around 4 p.m. with arrival time in Marquette approximately 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the mush bus are $40 per person. For reservations call 906-458-9997 or 906-228-3072.

For information about the sled dog races, visit up200.org

Trenary Outhouse Classic, Feb. 26

While there are many interesting events around the Upper Peninsula, the Trenary Outhouse Classic, also known as “the outhouse races”, has the best puns.

The event’s T-shirt this year boldly states: “Let’s ‘Go’ Together at the 29th Ever” above three wooden outhouse caricatures holding hands. “Only in Trenary, Michigan,” the shirt says.

For the event, contestants decorate homemade outhouses, which are placed on skis and pushed by two-person teams down the snowy path along Trenary’s Main Street. Along with the races, various vendors are found along the street and businesses like the Trenary Tavern and Silver Dollar are open for visitors.

All proceeds from the event go back to support the Trenary community. Races begin at 2 p.m., with registration taking place at 1 p.m. For more information, check out trenaryouthouseclassic.com.

Editor’s note: Jaymie Depew is the communications and special project assistant for the Alger County Chamber of Commerce/Greater Munising Bay Partnership for Commerce Development, Munising Downtown Development Authority and Munising Visitors Bureau.