One of the Upper Peninsula’s most entertaining events takes place Saturday when the Trenary Outhouse Classic takes place.

This will be the 29th-Ever Trenary Outhouse Classic, as 2021’s event was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noon Saturday is when the event kicks off, with the races starting at 2 p.m.

The outhouses for this race come in all shapes and sizes and range from simple structures to intricately designed outhouses built for speed, according to a Mining Journal story. Teams race the outhouses, which are placed on skis, through Trenary’s Main Street.

In addition to the race, there will also be the best fur hat contest, as well as vendors and souvenirs. Organizers and participants all were dismayed when COVID got in the way of this signature U.P. event last year.

“We were really disappointed that we had to cancel last year,” said Mimi Cady, president of the Trenary Outhouse Classic. “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to bring it back this year.”

The Trenary Outhouse Classic races are held on the final weekend of February each year. Through the years, it has become an annual highlight for Upper Peninsula residents and out-of-towners alike with past winners of the races coming from all over Michigan, as well as North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana and beyond.

The history of the Trenary Outhouse Classic traces to founder Trenary legend Toivo Aho, who was inspired by a similar type of event which was held in Washington state. Aho thought it would be a good way to break up the long winter months.

Toivo was right.

“Toivo was determined to make this winter event one of the largest in the U.P. Everywhere he went, he talked about the races. He was always looking for new ideas and how to make the race a larger, better-known event. The first few years the race started out on the sidewalk and eventually had to be moved to the street because of all the racers and spectators,” the Trenary Outhouse Classic website states.

Registration for the event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday. Anyone who is interested in taking part can find instructions on how to print and fill out the registration form online at www.trenaryouthouseclassic.com.

The Saturday forecast is for sunshine and 30-something temperatures, the perfect weather to get out of the house. If you have not visited downtown Trenary before to participate or to spectate, this is the year to beat cabin fever and laugh, a lot, as the outhouses return to Trenary.