Seguin celebrates 29 years of Dog Sled Mail Run

Annual Sled Dog Mail Run. Mushers demonstrated the skills of their dogs in a short run along Humphrey Drive. Roland Cilliers/North Star

SEGUIN TWP. - Not every dog chases the mailman.
In Seguin Township Saturday, a team of hard-working huskies were a key part in the mail delivery process during the 29th Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run. The event, which drew close to 100 people, features sled teams delivering the mail from Humphrey all the way to Rosseau.
Kelly Collard, chair of the Rosseau Recreation Committee and one of the event organizers, said the sled run has been a major draw in the community for many years now.
“It started with our Elsie Chadwick, who came up with her dogs and did a demonstration for Humphrey School,” said Collard. “She understood we had a post office in Rosseau and that the Humphrey Recreation Committee at the time was looking for different things to do and they started with the idea of mushing mail between Humphrey and Rosseau. Originally, when it was done it was just regular stamps, but Canada Post started doing picture postage and so now we do a unique stamp of our own.”
Honour sled teams
The event was originally conceived as a way to honour the sled teams in the far north who would need to cross great distances to deliver the mail. Chadwick attended the event in 2010, but died shortly thereafter.
An enthusiastic group of mushers, spectators and huskies of every size and colour came out to the event Saturday to carry on the legacy started by Chadwick.
Collard said she believes the continued popularity of the run is due to the appeal and uniqueness of sled dogs.
“Everyone is itching to get outside for good February events,” said Collard. “The weather is co-operating and the mushers are always a great draw.”
Decorated envelopes with specially dedicated stamps, or sledvelopes, were available for sale from a variety of Seguin businesses and organizations. Visitors were able to interact with the huskies and even received a demonstration of the many skills of the animals.
Once the sled teams arrived in Rosseau, lunch was provided. For $3, attendees were able to get a ride on the sleds.
Mayor David Conn, said the Sled Run was just the kickoff to a full day’s worth of winter activities in Seguin.
“The whole concept of sled dogs is unique and fun and everyone likes this whole concept of sled dogs on our lakes and trails. It interests people. They like to see it, and it’s not all that common or easy to be able to go out and see sled dogs,” Conn said.
Once the sled dogs had departed for Rosseau, visitors were able to head across the street to the Humphrey Nature Trails Barn for games, free hot dogs and ski and snowshoe rentals.

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