Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

When the 25th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon comes to town this weekend, it brings with it a slew of events for those of us who aren’t trail-bound.

Many of the events are free or cost only a nominal fee, but some are outdoors, so make sure you dress warmly. Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know to be a Beargrease spectator.

The opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beargrease will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Grandma’s Sports Garden, 425 Lake Ave. S. Admission is free, but the spaghetti buffet is $15.

Sled dogs explode on to the race course at the start of the 24th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. [2006 FILE/NEWS TRIBUNE] Suzanne Avello, a member of the Beargrease’s board of directors, said the race’s 80 or so mushers will get their bibs at the ceremony. Bib numbers are important because they indicate the mushers’ starting positions. Most don’t want to be the first out of the chute because dogs perform better when chasing other teams.

“You don’t want to be the first one because everyone’s trying to be you,” she said. “Your dogs will be more motivated in the back.”

There will also be Ojibwe drummers and a peace pipe ceremony at the event. Starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, 14 veterinarians will give each of the 600 dogs a once-over before the race begins to make sure they’re in racing shape. The vet checks take place in the parking lot behind the Sports Garden. The public is invited to observe. There is no fee for the vet check, which concludes at 1:30 p.m.

Puppies from around the Duluth area will try to draw the most “awws” at the Cutest Puppy Contest, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fitger’s Brewery Complex, 600 E. Superior St.

“The puppies come from the general public,” Avello said. “Sometime you’ll find a breeder in there, but mostly it’s the little girl next door with her cute new puppy.”