“The Dirtball” gets rockin’ this weekend
MARQUETTE — U.P. outdoor enthusiasts are getting down and dirty this weekend at the annual “Dirtball” put on by the Noquemanon Trail Network and Blackrocks. If you’ve been eyeing a particular bike all winter or been itching to dust the cob webs off your mountain bike, this weekend is your chance.
It’s time to have a ball at the NTN Singletrack “DIRTBALL” Although mountain biking is the leader of this trail event, it is still open to trail walkers, runners and hikers who want to kick up some dirt.
“The Dirtball is a celebration of trails here in in our community. We have a lot of volunteers, sponsors and people with passion, and then you have those people out there with a lot of passion who love to enjoy the trails and exercise, said Nicole Dewald, Director, NTN.
Dirtball is an all day event that serves as a fundraiser for the Noquemanon Trail Network, to maintain and assist in building the Upper Peninsula trails for enjoyment.
“What’s really fun about this area is the geography of the land, we have our hills, we have our rocks, it’s just a beautiful place to be able to recreate in,” continued DeWald.
Tickets for the event can be found at any of the local bike shops in Marquette or at Blackrocks. You can meet up with the Dirtballers at the South Trails parking lot on C.R. 553 Saturday, May 16. A workbee session starts at 9:00 a.m. Then it’s time to really get down and dirty with a casual and advanced ride beginning at 1:00 p.m. Activities kick back off at 6:00 p.m. at the Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette at 950 West Washington St.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door.