HOUGHTON — More than 1,700 people flooded the Houghton High School Football Field on Friday, Oct. 6 for Keweenaw Plaidurday Celebration. Baraga, Dollar Bay, Hancock and Calumet all sent buses for students to be a part of the record attempt gathering. The goal was the crush a 2019 Ontario record of 1,359 people wearing plaid in a photo. With a counting system including wristbands, clickers and photography – Visit Keweenaw is thrilled with the recorded turnout. It thanks Houghton Schools and the city of Houghton for participating and helping coordinate the event.

Rain taunted the morning but allowed for a brief window of dryness just long enough to shuffle onto the field. As sprinkles came and went, people parked their vehicles and made the trek across the parking lot. Volunteers stayed busy, passing out wristbands for counting and welcoming everyone.

Keweenaw Plaidurday drew many from the local community, surrounding counties and even some out-of-state folks. One special attendee was Bugsy Sailor, known for starting the holiday Plaidurday himself. Some people came as far as Ludington and Clarkston, MI, and from areas of northern Wisconsin. Coming in from even farther, the celebration welcomed plaid-wearers who said they came from Colorado and Florida. One traveler shared with Visit Keweenaw they extended their stay by a night to participate.

The Michigan Tech Pep Band provided entertainment, hyping up the crowds and bringing a uniting energy to the turf. Centering between the 40 lines on the football field, the crowd posed for Brockit inc. to take the perfect Plaidurday shot.

Visit Keweenaw will investigate verifying its world record attempt.

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