Strangest U.P. Tradition Returns Next Week: Outhouse Racing

Michigan's state motto, "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice" praises the unity and uniqueness of having two peninsulas that are separate but together. However, there is no denying that there are some cultural differences between the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula, not in a bad way, but in a fun way.

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Yoopers are a unique, proud bunch. Between da accents, affinity for hunting, love of beer, and "rugged", fun way of living. There's nothing quite like it, eh. Living somewhere that's surrounded by forests and covered in layers of snow most of the year, you have to make your fun. One town in the UP does this by racing outhouses. You read that correctly.

⬇️WITNESS ADORABLE "YOOPER GNOMES"⬇️

The Outhouse Classic

25 miles south of Munising you'll find the small town of Trenary. When you average 120 inches of snowfall a year, winter can be a real bore. In typical Yooper fashion, this town came up with one outlandish way to keep spirits up: outhouse racing. Now in its 32nd year, or rather its Turdy Second year as the organizers say, the last Saturday of February the entire town comes together to race wacky-looking outhouses.

Da Rules are simple: participants make an outhouse designed however they want but it must have a toilet seat and a roll of toilet paper. The outhouse is put on skis, a push bar is installed, and runners race 500 feet on a snowy race track. Accompanying the race this year is a Mullet Contest and a Fur Hat Contest. Does it get much more UP than that?

Proceeds from the event help fund "community enrichment programs" such as high school scholarships, community events, and more.

READ MORE: Da Yoopers: The Comedic Voice of Michigan's Upper Peninsula |