Still Going The Distance: North American Vasa Gets Set For 50th
By Kierstin Gunsberg | Nov. 29, 2025
Traverse City’s North American Vasa Festival of Races turns 50 this winter, with some 600 participants gearing up to hit the trails in celebration on Valentine’s weekend. The Ticker caught up with Vasa’s President Emeritus Pete LaPlaca to look back at the event’s defining moments and find out what’s in store for its next 50 years.
1976 Kicks off Vasa’s first official race
While the volunteer-run Vasa has operated as a nonprofit since 1990, it began like so many northern Michigan traditions, as a promotional event to draw visitors during the shoulder season. In 1976, then-Park Place Hotel manager Ted Okerstrom partnered with Olympic skier Vojin Baic to organize a …
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