Early in February the Caledonia Classic Dog Sled Races returned to Fort St. James after being cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated provincial health orders. The races have been growing in popularity with word-of-mouth, increased presence on Facebook and a partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia’s Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management program playing a major role in educating people about the annual February event.
“After cancelling the 2021 races due to the pandemic, it was wonderful to welcome mushers, volunteers and spectators back to Stuart Lake,” said Craig Houghton, president, Fort St. James Sled Dog Association. “For 26 years, these races have brought people together during the cold winter to celebrate sport and community. We’ve been intentionally curating the event to appeal to more people of varying ages, abilities and interests and it’s been drawing more people to Fort St. James. People come from as far as Quesnel and Smithers to watch the races or to volunteer.”
The three-day event included a 200-mile race, 100-mile race, sprint races, skijor events, politician’s race and a kid ‘n mutt race. The variety of races appeals to a range of spectators and participants, with the 200-mile race being one of three Canadian qualifiers for both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod. The two distance races draw competitors from across Canada, with racers coming from Quebec, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories.
As a Yukon Quest and Iditarod qualifier, the 200-mile race requires a qualified veterinarian to be retained on site and to always have race officials at the finish line until the competitors arrive. To assist with these costs, the Fort St. James Sled Dog Association successfully applied to Northern Development’s Fabulous Festivals and Events program for a $2,500 grant.
The community of Fort St. James experiences economic and social benefits from the annual multi-day event. Over the years, the Caledonia Classic Dog Sled Races have attracted dog mushers from all over Canada, parts of the United States and even some parts of Europe. Competitors travel to Fort St. James and attract spectators, people who require lodging, food, fuel and other services, providing a boost to the local economy during the quiet winter months.
“It’s great for the community in a bunch of ways,” explained Houghton. “It brings together various groups and community volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. The local snowmobile club is integral to ensuring the trails are in prime shape for the teams and Search and Rescue is also on hand. Individual volunteers from Fort St. James and beyond also generously contribute their time to the event. It’s just lovely.”
Northern Development’s Fabulous Festivals and Events program provides grants of up to $5,000 to event organizers in Northern B.C. This grant can be used to help with a variety of costs to help increase attendance or to make the event more successful.
