Provided by Jim Northey/Brockit Inc Kids from last year’s event enjoyed being pulled through the snow by a team canine athletes

Multiple teams of sled dogs will be at Agassiz Park on Saturday, 12-2 p.m., giving dog sled rides and photo opportunities to kids of all ages.

Free sled dog rides are being hosted by the CopperDog 150 to kick off the mushing season, as they do every year, according to Krissy Kovachich, musher liaison with the CopperDog 150. Tom Bauer from Otter River Sled Dog Training Center will be offering rides to kids, but Kovachich said an adult might be able to sneak a ride in, too.

“I don’t think Tom Bauer is going to turn anyone away,” she said.

Jerry Trudell of Sharks Came Racing will have his team available for photo opportunities with official CopperDog 150 race bibs, too.

The organizers are also providing free coffee, hot cocoa and hot dogs to attendees.

Kovachich said that mushers like to bring their dogs out to socialize and get used to people because it is good preparation for the beginning of races, when crowds and cameras line the course. The dogs are used to running every day already.

“Mushers generally run their dogs year-round,” Kovavich said.

Official CopperDog 150 merchandise will be available for purchase as well.

This is the tenth year for the CopperDog race, and organizers are doing their best to make it special. A new, 23-mile, single-stage race, called the CopperDog 25 has been added to the weekend’s events, which already include the two-stage CopperDog 80 and the three-stage main event.

Race weekend is March 1-3. Organizers expect more than 500 volunteers, 350 sled dogs from more than 40 teams and innumerable spectators to take part in the event.

More information can be found at copperdog150.com.