Flips, Tricks, and Splits downtown to draw crowds
Minnie Farms has announced that on Feb. 15, they will be supporting Houghton’s favorite snowboarding contest, Jibba Jabba. Jibba Jabba is a Houghton tradition that was previously hosted from 2009-2013 but was put on hold until 2023 when it was started up again. Held on Huron Street in downtown Houghton, this contest features some of the Midwest’s finest professional snowboarding athletes as they amuse the crowd with stunts. In this year’s competition, the field size will reach 35 extremely talented people. Red Bull will also be making an appearance with the Red Bull Truck, which will be playing music and providing energy drinks to the crowd. With a $1000 prize awarded last year to Jake McPherson and Javya Jordan, the competition this year will be fierce.
After the success of the competition in 2024, event organizers Jenn and Dustin Reed both shared their excitement in this year’s competition, saying “putting Houghton on the map” was one of their main motivations. As Houghton has much to share with the rest of the world, this event will create a spectacle that may ultimately help bring others to the area.
Observers will find that this event is far more than just a snowboarding competition. As people gather to spectate, drawings for various snowboarding equipment will be held at The Library restaurant, as well as the Portage Lake District Library. The obstacles on the course will contain many unique features, such as cattle fencing, log rails, a quarter pipe, and several jumps. Food trucks will be available at the event as well. Houghton Public Works will be constructing the event infrastructure with large amounts of outsourced snow that will cover the road on the day before. Space at the event is limited, and the spectating area will fill up quickly, so it is important that those interested in the event arrive early. The town will also have limited traffic inflow and outflow, as this will be a city-wide event.
