The oversized check handed to the winner of the U.P. 200 on Feb. 22 will bear the logos of corporate sponsors AT&T and The Mining Journal. However, without smaller contributions from several local businesses, including Marquette’s Beef-A-Roo, the race might not happen.
Beef-A-Roo’s owner, Cami LaFayette lives 12 feet away from the race trail and supports the race emphatically. In addition to being a Mile Club member, a title merited by an annual $125 cash donation, her restaurant regularly donates gift certificates to the race. She watches the start of the race on television and later heads outside to see the sleds race by in person. Lafayette said her contributions are well worth it. “The race is wonderful… It’s so exciting to see the dogs and the mushers go by.”
The U.P. 200 runs a silent auction from Thursday through the end of each race. It raises $3,000 or more for the race each year, thanks to small business donations. Beef-A-Roo gift certificates are one of the items put in baskets for the auction, but many other small businesses contribute. The Mining Journal annually donates a U.P. 200 picture for the auction. Without the framing and matting for that picture, its value would be much lower. That framing service has been provided by The Art of Framing for the last five years. The framing business is owned by Tom Duwaldt and the sleds rush past its downtown location at the start of the race. He is an enthusiastic spectator for the event. “We enjoy the dogsled races, and anything we can do to help with their costs we’re more than happy to do,” Duwaldt said.
Country Charm is another willing contributor to the annual sled race. The store has donated items to the U.P. 200’s silent auction since opening in 2003. “We try to support our local charities and things like schools. We donate as much as we can,” said co-owner Sharon Pronti, who donated some Marquette sweatshirts to this year’s auction. “A lot of people have come in to thank us; it’s so good to hear that they know we’re behind them.”
The U.P.200 is one of the Marquette area’s top draws, bringing 15,000 visitors to the Upper Peninsula. The rooms of Days Inn and Comfort Suites are routinely booked solid for the whole weekend. General Manager Brian Jenson has been fascinated by the U.P. 200 since he first saw it in 2001. Though he enjoys giving back Jensen has more motivation to donate than just the surplus in business. Jenson donates $450-$500 worth of free nights in his hotel rooms for the silent auction. He hasn’t missed the start of the race since his first time seeing it and has been contributing to its cause for five years. “It’s a great event of so many people out enjoying winter time,” he said. “I usually go with some friends for the race, have a good time and spend some money downtown.”
Some smaller businesses make donations with less incentive. Shawn Carver, owner of American Name Plate, has donated a vehicle license plate to the silent auction for the last four years. “We’re just a small Ma and Pa business,” Carver said, “so we can’t make a really big contribution.” Though the race doesn’t bring customers his way, Carver’s fellow business owners do benefit. “Whatever helps the economy is good for us,” he said.
Great Lakes Wood Products is owned by Pam Thomson. This year they supplied a sauna bucket and ladle for the silent auction. Thomson’s donation is more a service to the community than an attempt to advertise or to capitalize on tourism. Great Lakes Wood Products mostly sells larger items, such as furniture, which Thomson said aren’t “tourist items.”
Though the U.P. 200 does not directly bring her business, Thomson said, “We like to support as many community activities as we can. This event is good for the community.”
Wild Birds Unlimited owner Mike Berger is a regular spectator of the race. His business has contributed items to the silent auction for the past 11 years, including a bird feeder and bird seed for this year’s event.
“I believe in what [the U.P. 200] is doing and what it’s all about,” said Berger. “I believe the way the handlers and dog owners treat the dogs is very beneficial. It’s a good way to demonstrate what the U.P. has to offer in terms of wildlife, and it’s a good community sport.”
