Several organizations in the Houghton and Hancock area hosted a new fall festival this past weekend, the Canal Colors Festival. This festival boasted a mash-up of events across the city to celebrate the season.
The main event was the Plaidurday photo where over 1,000 people came together in their flannels to try to break world records. Following the Plaidurday event was a Brew Fest by the Portage. The streets were closed to allow for food trucks, local vendors, and live music.
The festival ran all weekend, with events spanning giant pumpkin contests, games, movie screenings, and the annual 5k run. Tons of prizes were awarded, and lots of support was generated for local businesses and charities, such as the Keewanaw Brewing Company (KBC) who donated a portion of every “social pint” sold, and a can drive held for Houghton High School.
The weekend event was put together by multiple planners starting months in advance. Jesse Wiederhold, managing director for Visit Keweenaw, explained, “Visit Keweenaw was really pulling up this Brew Street and Plaidurday experience. The City of Houghton has Fall Fest the following Saturday and the Color Run. So instead of just doing all of our own things, we finally decided to come together with Canal Colors Festival.” The festival will be returning next year if you happen to have missed it. “Tech students should come… these are the cornerstone experiences. It’s really great to just meet people in your community… just explore off-campus,” Wiederhold added.
Followed by the annual Keweenaw Color run, the activities did not end. Canal Colors continued with pumpkin markets, tractor rides, and a pie eating contest. Canal Colors is intended for all ages, sporting kid-friendly games as well as more adult-centered events. Local business Small Craft threw an Oktoberfest, complete with hammerschlagen and stein-holding contests. The KBC even gave stage space for Lumberjack Lovin’, a spin on the “sexy lumberjack” trope. The contest was lighthearted and many said they would do it again next fall “I have no regrets, especially coming in second,” said Tim Peters, Lumberjack Lovin’ contestant and Copper Country Today host.
