Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
QUEST CASH 鈥� Tourism and Culture minister Mike Nixon looks on as Quest board president Joost van der Putten thanks the Yukon government for the infusion of cash.
Yukon Quest gets cash infusion for 30th anniversary celebrations
The Yukon government is kicking in an extra $50,000 in support of the 30th anniversary of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog race.
The Yukon government is kicking in an extra $50,000 in support of the 30th anniversary of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog race.
The funding is in addition to the $150,000 provided annually by the Department of
Tourism and Culture.
Minister Mike Nixon made the announcement today at the Visitor Information Centre.
"The Quest has helped promote the territory as a destination rich with community spirit, strength of character, and northern pride,鈥� Nixon told the group in attendance. "Funding for the Quest is a good investment for the people of Yukon.鈥�
The $50,000 in new funding will support the pre-race anniversary celebrations that will celebrate the history of mushing associated with the gold rush, trappers, traders and mail carriers who helped to develop the territory.
Events will include an opportunity to meet the mushers, a 30th "birthday party鈥� celebration on Oct. 26, and the official opening of the Yukon Quest exhibit at Macbride Museum around Christmas.
"Everyone young and old will have wonderful opportunities to learn more about the race and its legacy as a winter experience in Yukon,鈥� Nixon said.
"The Yukon government is proud of the over $2.3 million in support that we've provided to the Yukon Quest since 1999.鈥�
Quest board president Joost van der Putten thanked the government for their continued support of the iconic sled dog race.
The department has been a "great support over the years, and especially this year,鈥� he said.
The Quest is a spectacular race, van der Putten explained.
"Nothing captures the imagination and the spirit of the North like this magical event.
The courage, the adventure, and the bond between the musher and the team have been the basis for movies, stories, books and dreams.鈥�
The additional funding will assist Quest organizers in showcasing the "indominatable spirit of the North,鈥� van der Putten added.
The second-year board president went on to thank the event's corporate sponsors, as well as the 400-plus volunteers who have continued to make the event happen over the last three decades.
"Our volunteers are second-to-none,鈥� he said.
The 30th running of the Yukon Quest will begin at Shipyards Park Feb. 2, 2013.
The government provides annual funding to the race to support program development, cooperative marketing, race administration and community outreach.
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Comments (3)
Up 0 Down 0
Lea Bayliss on Oct 2, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Yes - lets just continue to condone the culling of puppies and the killing of old and injured dogs to keep this oppressive, cruel and archaic sport alive. A musher told me that killing some of the dogs is just part of the industry.
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flyingfur on Oct 2, 2012 at 4:25 am
It would be interesting to know, even to estimate, how much money gets infused back into Whitehorse and the Yukon from this event. Will local merchants collectively see $200,000 in income/profits from this during the 30th anniversary? I doubt it...but perhaps I'm wrong.
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Mike Grieco on Oct 2, 2012 at 3:11 am
Sigh...will tourism in Yukon suffer without the labour of dogs? No more public money for "events" that exploit & kill dogs.