It’s finally Fisherman’s picnic in Grand Marais! The way things were going this spring, it looked like we might have to run a sled dog race instead of a softball tournament.

But even with the warm weather and busy season, some of us turn our attention to next winter’s Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race. To prepare for it, we are having a raffle fundraiser. Most of the items are things you can do in the summer but we are trying to make the summer visitors aware of other activities they can enjoy in the winter.

The Grand Prize is a Surf Tech B-1 stand up paddle-board, donated by Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. This board is valued at $1499. The 2nd prize is a 2014 Specialized Hard Rock Disc SE 29er mountain bike donated by Superior North Outdoor Center Bike Shop. It’s valued at $580. Third Prize is a three night stay for two on Poplar Lake, donated by Trail Center Lodge and valued at $420. The fourth and fifth prizes are both donated by Sivertson Gallery and are each valued at $150. The first one is a framed 2014 Gichigami Express poster. This poster is yet to be unveiled and will be first shown at the drawing. The second is a framed 2013 poster which has been signed by each musher. The sixth prize are lift tickets for two donated by Lutsen Mountains, with a value of $126.

The raffle tickets are $10 each, or three for $25. We are selling a limited number of tickets and you can find them at Stone Harbor, Trail Center, Superior North Outdoor Center Bike Shop and Grand Portage Lodge & Casino. You can also drop a note to info@gichigamiexpress.com or send a check to Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race, PO Box 9, Grand Marais, MN 55604. Do not send credit card info via e-mail. Drop us a note and we will call you back.