| The first sled dog race at Chapman State
Park crossed the Allegheny National
Forest to Marienville and back in January
of 1979. Ten teams ran a two-day race. The
temperature hovered around -25 degrees
both days with two feet of snow. Jim
Lobdell of Warren won that first race and
thus began the dog racing tradition at
Chapman. Shortly thereafter, the “winter
carnival” tradition began to accompany
the races at the Park. By 1993, Warren
County merged the events into Winterfest. When Jim Lobdell passed away, the races took on his name: “The Jim Lobdell Memorial Sled Dog Races”. Agencies cooperating to make Winterfest possible include Warren County Recreation Authority, the Bureau of State Parks, Pennsylvania Game Commission and the U.S. Forest Service. Volunteer organizations stage activities and exhibits throughout the Park. Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue group from Philadelphia will be back for a fourth year at Winterfest. There will be plenty of excitement this year, beginning Friday, January 26 with a new 32-mile mid-distance race followed by a “Meet the Musher” supper at the Kalbfus Rod & Gun Club on Chapman Dam Road. A variety of downhill sledding events will take place, as well as skiing, ice fishing, snow shoeing, snow sculpting, and several food vendors. Bring the entire family and enjoy winter in the West Branch of the Tionesta Creek valley at Chapman State Park. |
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
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Race sponsor: Additional Race Volunteers:
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