Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to announce the 12th Annual Minden Dog Sled Derby on January 18 and 19, 1997. This is the largest dog sled race purse in North America. It will draw competitors from around the world to Haliburton County and the village of Minden. This is a unique weekend with fun events for the whole family.
I would like to congratulate Val and Steven Loughead, Stu Brandon, Jack Brezina and Sue Collings, the five planners responsible for the event, not to mention the leaders, volunteers, community sponsors and mushers who will make this race the best ever.
You only have to be a spectator, not a musher, to take part. Let Bill Payne welcome you to the main street of Minden for the excitement of seeing canine and human athletes compete for a piece of the $42,000 purse.