MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – In 1989, mushers Jeffery Mann and Tom Lindstrom, Mining Journal Advertising Manager Willie Peterson and Marquette Chamber of Commerce member LouAnn Balding came together to discuss a new event for the Upper Peninsula. This soon grew into the UP200 sled dog race.
Balding, who now works as a florist at her family shop Forsberg Flowers, shared her story with WZMQ 19 on how even after all these years, she is still proud to showcase her part in its history.
“I had never seen a sled dog race, but I was willing to sell it, because I knew the community was ready,” she explained. “We would meet down at my mom’s home in Rapid River and brainstorm. We raised money and gathered volunteers, then we went out in the woods and walked across the lakes to design the route.”
Also at the helm for many of its staple years was Marquette artist, Carl Mayer, who created banners for each of the musher’s sleds. Unfortunately, Mayer passed away in December, but his watercolor paintings live on to carry a perspective of the UP200’s early years.
In light of the race weekend, Forsberg Flowers is proudly displaying one of his pieces front and center.
“We loved Carl, we worked well together,” said Balding. “This was his idea of the community. That’s what makes this race great. This is history, it’s legacy here.”
Pulling each race together is the combination of everyone involved, across both locals already here and the far-and-wide mushing community. Balding also brought up the phrase “the dog yard conversation never ends,” meaning each year these teams can pick up right where they left with one another, continuing the heavy love for the sport.
More historical information about the races can be found at up200.org.
