The Gunflint Canoe Races, a festive Gunflint Trail tradition, is not only fun, but is also a fundraiser for the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. Proceeds from the Canoe Races to be held July 21 will be used to equip the fire department’s new tender-tanker.
Once again, the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will benefit the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Thisyear’s event kicks off at 4 p.m. July 21.
On scene will be the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department’s newest vehicle, an initial attack tendertanker, which has been an invaluable firefighting aid since its arrival in December 2009. The tender-tanker, has fought two fires so far, one a brush-grass fire within a mile of Gunflint Lodge where the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will be held.
The funds raised by the traditional paddling event will be spent to equip the tanker and to help add bathrooms to the three fire stations along the Gunflint Trail. The tanker is designed to adapt to smaller backwoods roads and has a small turning radius. It supplies water until a larger water source can be set up.
With proceeds from the races, the fire department wants to purchase tanker equipment such as an expensive nozzle that can spew out foam and gel. Other gear like hoses, fire protection clothing, structure gear and medical equipment is also needed to outfit the truck.
The fire department, which has six trucks and one ambulance, is composed of 32 well-trained men and women who cover an expanded territory, from the end of the Trail to Greenwood Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service and the Fire Department work cooperatively and offer mutual aid.
The tanker will be on display at the canoe races along with an Honor Board that recognizes fire department members and shows firefighters in action.
The canoe race events begin at 4 p.m. and end at dusk. The 2010 events feature a multi-item raffle of donated items at $2 per ticket. In addition, a Wenonah Spirit II Royalex canoe will be raffled with the canoe donated by Wenonah Canoe Company of Winona is on display at Trail Center weekends before the races. Tickets are $5.
For information contact Tom Schank or Melissa Johnson at 388-9495.
. A silent auction will feature lots of handmade items and will
run until 7:30 p.m.
. Special events include minnow races, kayak races, casting
contest, putting green and beanbag throw for the kids.
. 4:30 p.m. – Food service opens featuring famous Gunflint Trail
sloppy joes, vegetarian calico beans, hot dogs, chips, veggie
packs, home-baked cookies and bars, ice cream bars, pop,
lemonade and coffee.
. 5:30 p.m. — Eating contest. Support your favorite contestant.
. 6 p.m. – Rafflesclose and canoe races begin with a long
distance race, followed by a list of races for age and gender
groups, which take place the rest of the evening. The highlight
of races is the last one, gunnel pumping, where canoeists
stand on the gunnels and pump their canoes to the finish line.
. Registration is at the waterfront.
. Following the races the canoe raffle winner will be announced
as the evening’s climax.
Leave a Reply