While sled dog racing may be most popular in Arctic regions, the activity is not foreign here nor limited to winter.

“We go out on horse trails and forest preserve trails and state parks. Any grass or limestone trail is good,” said Crete resident Theresa Przybylski of the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Chicago, whose members hail from Mokena, Homewood, Joliet, Evanston, Springfield and beyond. “It's a form of exercise and a way for you to build a relationship with the dogs.”

To give the public a glimpse into the life of dog sledding and the breed, the club will partner with the Forest Preserve District of Will County for the 23rd annual Musher Mania on Saturday at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township.

Two of Przybylski's four Siberian huskies — Mandy, 9, and her offspring Shelby, 5 — will be among the dogs participating in the free event.

Teams of four to six dogs will do two runs, on sleds if there is snow or wheeled rigs if there isn't.

“Oh, my gosh, yes, dogs enjoy it. This is what they were bred to do,” she said of the dogs' enthusiasm for sledding and showing folks how it's done. “They are working dogs, a breed that needs a job. Otherwise they will dig holes in your yard and destroy things in the home if they don't get enough exercise. Running them on sleds is one form of exercise they enjoy. When we hook them up, they start to get excited. You can't make them pull because they go in front of you. If they don't want to go, they won't. They work as a team.”

While the event is held with or without snow, she says the dogs prefer frigid temperatures.

“The colder the better for the dogs,” said Przybylski, who acquired her first husky in 1988 and has participated in Musher Mania for some 20 years. “Last year it poured, but I was surprised how many people came out in the rain. Hopefully we'll have snow on the ground and it'll be in the 20s. And there is a warming building.”

Inside the heated Monee Reservoir Visitor Center, the “Great Race to Nome” will be illustrated with activities and an exhibit about great mushers throughout history. Winter-themed crafts and games also will be offered.

Disney's “Snow Dogs” will be screened inside a warming tent. The first 200 people to visit the tent will receive a Musher Mania scarf.

Dogs also will be available to pet and for photos ($7).

“Our rigs and sleds also will be available to see,” Przybylski said. “We can tell visitors how to get started and go over the equipment and how to teach a dog to pull.”

Information on adopting a husky, which involves an application and home visit, also will be provided. (Adoptions will not take place on site.)

Musher Mania also will offer opportunities to snowshoe and make s'mores by the fire.

World Class Ice will give ice-carving demonstrations featuring “cool cubes” containing toys for kids.

Boy Scout troops 100 and 123 will sell popcorn, apple fritters and hot drinks.

The Siberian Husky Club of Greater Chicago also will sell husky hats, gloves, stuffed animals and other items. Proceeds benefit the club and its rescue group. The club recently donated to the American Kennel Club's trailer equipped with kennels, crates and harnesses to assist pet owners during disasters in northern Illinois.

Vickie Jurkowski is a freelancer.