U.P. 200 a Premier Winter Event

The U.P. 200 Sled Dog Race is set to kick off this Friday on Washington Street in Downtown Marquette for the 20^th consecutive year. The 240 mile Iditarod qualifier is held on the third weekend in February every year, and brings spectators and mushers to Marquette County from across the State, country and even the world.

Like so many of our other premier winter events, such as the ski jumps at Suicide Hill in Ishpeming and the Noquemanon Cross-country Ski Race, the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run generate significant dollars for our area, and it only seems to be growing!

Typically, the Marquette County event calendar is over-loaded for the third weekend in February, and each event fights against one another for accommodations and spectators. However, this year these events have spread out over other weekends, providing for optimum participation and a steady stream of revenue throughout the winter.

“For the first time in more years than I can remember, the UP 200 is being held on a weekend when there are no other events going on, except the Marquette International Open figure skating competition at Lakeview Arena,” explains Pat Black, Director of the Marquette Country Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

“Usually Marquette Mountain has the J3/4 (CUSSA J-3/J-4 Championship) races that bring in big room nights.　 In other years, we have had to overflow to surrounding communities because we were so full.　 The good news is, the J3/4 races are the last weekend in February, so we are going to have a really great month.”

“Most of our hotels are full,” Pat said, “so this tells me that we are looking at about 2,000 room nights at an average of $100 per night, which alone is about $250,000 in revenue. Multiply that by $150 per room in spending and we are looking at another $300,000. So in total, we would conservatively estimate between $500,000 and $750,000 into the county on that (UP 200) weekend.”　

Pat Black also told us another bit of good news surrounding the event. “The CVB is bringing up a film crew from the PBS program ‘Under the Radar’ which airs out of Detroit.  They will be filming the Thursday night bib draw, as well as all day Friday including vet check and the laying down of the track downtown. They will also interview downtown businesses, talk to the volunteers, film the start and end at the party at the Upfront and Company (an LSCP member!).”

The U.P. 200 is also a draw for legislators and state officials. Each year the Marquette County Ambassadors hold a legislative reception, as do other companies and organizations, to capitalize on their visits. Ambassadors invite all legislators in the State House and Senate, as well as State department heads, our federal representatives and all locally elected officials in Marquette County. Bringing these officials together during the U.P. 200 is a highly valuable use of everyone’s time while enjoying a great event.

Thanks to all who work tirelessly to create and implement these events and benefit our community in so many ways! Marquette County continues to draw an incredible amount of attention to our piece of the world, and it’s people like you who help our community make a huge impact!

For information on these and other winter events, visit our calendar of events at www.marquette.org. For more information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership call 226-9658 or email us at