Honey Bear Classic taking place with COVID-19 adaptations
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MARQUETTE -- For those looking to enjoy a skiing or snowshoeing excursion this month, the 32nd annual Honey Bear Classic will take place at the Big Bay Pathway from Friday through Feb. 21 with adaptations for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several safety features -- such as eliminating the single-day gathering, spreading the event out over 10 days and allowing participants to register online -- are in place due to the pandemic, according to organizers.
Interested participants can sign up to ski or snowshoe the trail for a chance to win door prizes. Participants can register online for the Honey Bear Funski, the Honey Bear 8K Classic, Honey Bear 16K Classic or the Honey Bear Snowshoe Trek through Feb. 21.
The Honey Bear mascot will be attending this event intermittently throughout the 10-day span to spread cheer and show gratitude for the donations to this fundraising event, organizers said. The Big Bay Pathway runs adjacent to restaurants in the community and Powell Township School is directly connected to the path.
The proceeds raised by the event will help support the grooming and maintenance of the Big Bay Pathway, Sven Gonstead, chairman of the Powell Township Parks and Recreation Committee, said in a phone interview.
"It is important for people to know that even though the trail has great support from the Noquemanon Trail Network maintaining the trail, the snow machines and the upkeep of the machines, the time it takes to have someone groom these trails, are all done through community efforts and funding. If we have to rent machines, we have to receive that funding from somewhere. The NTN helps us with administrative funding and also media support but trail upkeep is up to us."
To register or donate online, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/BigBay/HoneyBearClassicFundraiser.
The Big Bay Pathway can be accessed at the new trailhead location along Deutsch Avenue in Big Bay.
Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is @miningjournal.net.