Plans are under way for upgrades to all three of the Gunflint Trail fire stations, so the proceeds from the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races are greatly appreciated. However, the event is not just a fundraiser, it’s a Gunflint Trail tradition, with friendly competitions between resorts and families on the Trail. There is a silent auction, a canoe raffle, kids’ events and more. All are welcome to try their hand at racing or just to watch the fun!
The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races are set for July 18 at Gunflint Lodge. The annual event, the biggest of the summer on the Trail, benefits the Gunflint Trail Fire Department, and last year raised $14,500.
The well-trained fire department averages a call a week. Those include medical, search and rescue, and fire-related. The three stations along the Trail are situated at population centers: Station 1 at Mid Trail; Station 2 at Gunflint Lake; and Station 3 at Seagull Lake near the end of the Trail. All stations have brush trucks, with the ambulance at Gunflint. Tanker tenders are an important part of the services to provide water when needed.
The Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department covers a total of 192 square miles stretching along the Trail from Swamper Lake to the end of the Trail and reaches to Greenwood Lake and Twin Lake. This makes it the largest territory in Cook County and perhaps in the state.
Plans are being made to upgrade the three fire stations. Project Chair Michael Valentini reports that two buildings will be added at Station 1 – a storage building and a hall that will double as a community building and incident command post with bathrooms are planned. Building should begin in mid-summer and completed in the fall.
At Station 2 bathrooms with shower will be added and should be completed in the fall. At Station 3 the present tiny building will be moved off the property as the land is permitted to have only one structure. The new building will house two trucks, storage and serve as an incident command center and community center.
The canoe race schedule begins at 4 p.m. Over 100 items will be raffled at $2 a ticket. A second raffle of a Wenonah Spirit 11 Royalex canoe donated by the Wenonah Canoe Company of Winona will also be held at $5 a ticket. The canoe is on display at Trail Center.
Other events include a silent auction of handmade and donated items, kids’ events and an eating contest.
The canoe races begin at 6 p.m. with the long distance race followed by many age and gender races, with gunnel pumping as the finale. Race registration is at the waterfront.
Contact Jim and Margit Jamieson of Gunflint Lake, Canoe Race chairs, at (218) 388-4434 for more information.
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