Meet Siberian huskies at Batavia dog sled demo
When you think of an arctic expedition, you might imagine powerful Siberian huskies pulling sleds that carry food and medicine from one frigid village to the next.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, the popular breed will pull into Lippold Park in Batavia with mushers who will share the time-honored transport.
"Sledding with the Siberians," sponsored by the Aurora-based Fox Valley Park District, will run dog sled demonstrations from 3 to 5 p.m. with huskies from the Free Spirit Siberian Rescue organization, based in Harvard, McHenry County.
In between runs - which can take place with or without snow - attendees can pet the dogs, learn more about them through informal presentations, and even adopt some of the blue-eyed beauties.
Cost is $3 per person for in-district residents; $5 for nonresidents. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the rescue organization.
"Dog sleds have been a mode of transport for centuries, and this event will show us the great pride that owners, mushers and handlers have in their dogs," said Fox Valley Park District naturalist Margaret Gazdacka. "When their dogs are hooked to the sled, they get to do two of the things they love most - pull and run."
This is the first year the Fox Valley Park District has invited the group.
"We thought this would be an awesome thing to have," Gazdacka said. "It's a little bit of fun with the canine friends and something that's new and different."
Lippold Park recently reopened as an outdoor education/nature park at 2001 S. River St. The setting will be perfect for people to interact with the dogs and watch them take laps around a prairie trail, according to Jeff Long, public affairs and communications manager for the Fox Valley Park District.
"They'll make good use of the trail in the absence of snow," Long said. "They're beautiful dogs, and they're really playful, loyal and hardworking. They live to pull and run."
Long is a husky lover who hopes to convince his wife to adopt one of the puppies that will be available at the event.
"I have to promise her to clean up all the shedding hair," Long said. "They're gentle giants, and great with kids."
The park district is hoping for about 100 or so people to preregister online for the event. They'll not be able to take cash at the door, so they're encouraging people to visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org to sign up.
The Free Spirit Siberian Rescue organization has been around since 1999 when founder Karen Ferreri-Miller was moved to reduce the number of homeless Siberian huskies.
Demo team leader/volunteer Jason Hussong of Machesney Park will be on hand at the event with his three huskies: purebreds Bowie and Juneau and Kyra, a husky/golden retriever mix. He began volunteering in 2006 after adopting through the organization.
"I was interested in getting involved with mushing," he said. "It snowballed from there."
Hussong said the lack of snow won't hamper the event in any way.
"We have carts that are called sled rigs that we use when we don't have snow," Hussong said. "The sled and the rig are interchangeable."
Though some Eskimo tribes still use huskies for their original purpose, gasoline-powered vehicles have taken the job of sled dogs, Hussong said. In the Chicago area, dog sledding is more of a recreational activity, and it's even more popular up north.
"Many races are in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, where you get into the colder climates," Hussong said.
Since its inception, Free Spirit Siberian Rescue has found homes for more than 1,000 dogs, and many people have gained an awareness about huskies through their dog sled demos held throughout the Chicago area. The website huskyrescue.org features photos and descriptions of available husky puppies and dogs, along with associated fees and an application for interested parties.
At the event on Saturday, literature will be available for people who want to know more about Free Spirit Siberian Rescue or adopting a husky. Hussong said the event is held to promote the sport of dog sledding, but also to promote the organization.
"We try to raise money for them and get their homeless dogs adopted," Hussong said. "We're always looking for donations and we're always looking for volunteers."
The group will also hold a chili lunch and sled demo fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 4 in Harvard. Details are available on the website.
If you go
What: “Sledding with the Siberians,” a demonstration event featuring sled dogs from the Free Spirit Siberian Rescue Demo Team
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Where: Lippold Park, 2001 S. River St., Batavia
Cost: $3-$5 per person, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the rescue organization
Details and registration: