Canal Colors Festival: Presented by Listen UP Radio

Celebrate Fall in the Keweenaw!

Houghton’s got a brand-new fall party, and you’re invited. Parked along the beautiful Portage Canal and the mighty lift bridge, this festival celebrates the exact spot where fall colors first start to turn between Houghton and Hancock, Michigan. With steep hills rising on both sides of the canal, the season shows off twice — once in the trees, and again in their reflections across the water. That’s what makes it Canal Colors.

Canal Colors Festival hits downtown Houghton October 1-4, and it’s all about that U.P. fall vibe — flannels, good beer, fresh air, and a reason to celebrate the season. This weekend mash-up pulls together Brew Street, Plaidurday, the Color Run, and Houghton’s Fall Fest into one big celebration along the waterfront. Canal Colors Festival is coordinated by Visit Keweenaw, City of Houghton and Circle Up (formerly Keweenaw Young Professionals).

Listen UP Radio of Houghton is the Canal Colors Festival Presenting Sponsor. THANKS, LISTEN UP RADIO!

THURSDAY, OCT 1 (PRE-FESTIVAL FUN!)

Digital Plaidurday Passport Opens! (Oct. 1-4)

• Explore the Keweenaw Plaid-Style. Download Visit Keweenaw’s Canal Colors Festival Pass so you won’t miss out on a single opportunity to go all out for Plaidurday. Finish the passport by checking in at the following locations over the weekend to enter for a chance to win sweet themed merch. Simply arrive, open your browser to your passport, and click "check in" or submit PIN. All who finish the pass can redeem at Visit Keweenaw in Houghton for a "I Survived Keweenaw Plaidurday" sticker and an entry into a plaid-themed prize.

• Check-ins can be found at each event location + more ways to enrich your fall adventure!

Plaid Paint N’ Sip Night + Wine Tasting @ Small Craft (101 Navy St., Hancock)

• (6-8 p.m.) ILO Creative hosts a Plaidurday-themed paint-and-sip night. Find your favorite adult beverages at Small Craft or try something new. N/A options available. Small Craft is located right next to the stunning Portage Canal, draped in fall colors! Pre-registration link is available here. Check out the event at Small Craft, and stop by ILO in Hancock for more art supplies to take home.

Plaid BINGO @ Beviamo (414 Shelden Ave., Houghton, MI)

• (6-8 p.m.) Beviamo is hosting Plaid BINGO! Hosted by Visit Keweenaw Managing Director Jesse Wiederhold, the event promises a fun night of classic bingo. Prizes include Keweenaw Cash (surprise value redeemable at any Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce member) and other plaid-themed giveaways. Pre-registration is not required. Bring your crew and get ready for the best bingo night ever!

FRIDAY, OCT 2 (PLAIDURDAY + BREW STREET)

Setting the bar high and the plaid thread count higher! (Plaidurday 2024)

KEWEENAW PLAIDURDAY PHOTO (Houghton High School Football Field, 1603 Gundlach Rd., Houghton, MI) (1 p.m.-2 p.m.)

• The Canal Colors Committee wants to break our October 2023 WORLD RECORD of 1,745 people wearing plaid in Houghton. No other destination has since come close to our record in 2023.

• The Houghton High School Alumni Association (HHSAA) will be distributing free apple cider and donuts on a first-come-first-serve basis. Thank you HHSAA.

• RSVP on Facebook to show your support and help spread the word!

• CAN DRIVE: Members of the public and Houghton Schools are encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items to the event. There will be a donation tent by the entrance for folks to contribute.

• TIME: Football field gates open at 1 p.m. The photo will be taken at 1:30 p.m. sharp!

• PARKING: Park in the lot near the football field or across Gundlach Rd. in the overflow lot.

• CHECK IN to the Plaidurday Passport using the PIN code ONLY available in person!

• NEW THIS YEAR: Hear the exciting tunes of the Michigan Tech Pep Band, and try out a new event: The Keweenaw Color Run 100 is calling for contestants. This short sprint will take place during the Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo on the track at the football field. Eight participants will be invited to race to win $250 Keweenaw Cash sponsored by the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce. The prize pool may be split into multiple waves for extra participation.

Come ready to race and dress in all plaid for a chance to run. Participants will be selected at random during the event based on interest and their wardrobe. Waivers to compete are required on site if you are selected.

• EMCEE PLAIDURDAY - Tim Peters from Listen UP Radio becomes EMCEE PLAIDURDAY! Peters will MC the Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo and announce the final attendance count.

• MERCH: The Canal Colors Committee will be distributing free plaid-themed take-home items at the event to remember the day by.

• Thank you to Houghton High School for hosting the official Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo. Thank you to attendees for being respectful of the property and helping to keep this event family-friendly and inclusive of all. Thank you to Listen UP Radio for sponsoring the weekend and EMCEE'ing the Plaidurday Photo.

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(Brew Street 2023) - Sips for a great cause!

BREW STREET (Behind Keweenaw Brewing Company on Lakeshore Dr.) (5-9 p.m.)

• Step back in time on historic Brew Street, where Houghton's breweries once lined the waterfront. Enjoy live music, food, yard games and local beverages from 5-9 p.m. along Lakeshore Drive behind Keweenaw Brewing Company. Lakeshore Drive becomes Houghton’s best block party for one night only. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged.

• Sip for a cause! Participating businesses are serving Social District beverages to-go as a fundraiser for the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. Just make sure your drink is served in an official Social District cup to support the museum.

  • Keweenaw Brewing Company (KBC): Brew Street's main gathering spot. KBC will donate $1 to the Carnegie Museum for every Social District pint sold.

  • Beviamo Vino: Grab a glass of wine in a Social District cup, with $1 per drink also helping support the Carnegie Museum.

  • The Den: Looking for something bigger? The Den will be serving Social District drinks to-go, making it easy to enjoy Brew Street with your favorite beverage in hand. Each drink to-go donates $1 to the Carnegie Museum.

  • The Ambassador: Houghton's famous tostada pizza and fishbowl drinks are ready to-go. Order pizza for Brew Street and get a tasty, colorful adult fishbowl beverage to brighten your night. Fishbowls and to-go drinks support the Carnegie Museum at $1 each.

• MUSIC LINEUP @ KBC:

  • 5-7 p.m. – Beautiful Problem (Instagram)

  • 7-9 p.m. – Chad Borgen & The Collective (Facebook)

SECOND PHOTO OP (7 p.m.):

• ​There will be a brief break at 7 p.m. for another Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo at Brew Street!

CANAL COLORS GIANT PUMPKIN CONTEST + WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT @ 7 p.m. @ BREW STREET

• Organized by Wolf’s Head Film, the Canal Colors Giant Pumpkin Contest will be on display on the Houghton Pier all day Friday and Saturday. Local growers have been tending their pumpkins since early summer, all hoping to take home pumpkin glory and a $300 Keweenaw Cash prize from the Canal Colors Committee. Pumpkins will be judged by weight, with the heaviest pumpkin named the winner. See the giant pumpkins throughout the weekend and catch the winner announcement during Brew Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday.

• Wolf’s Head Film is a Keweenaw nonprofit building community and creative culture through free and low-cost screenings and events. The organization also hosts the Wolf’s Head Film Festival, an October celebration of horror, obscure independent films, documentaries, shorts and all things weird.

LUMBERJACK LOVIN’ (7 p.m. @ Brew Street):

• Flannel up and strut your stuff in this playful Plaidurday fashion show, competition and singles mixer. Up to 10 single contestants, ages 21+, will compete in categories including Best Lumberjack Pickup Line, Best Beard, and Best Lumberjack Look + Runway Approach.

• PRIZE: All get a $10 gift card donated by Beviamo up the street. ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A $400 KEWEENAW CASH PRIZE.

• Like what you see? You’ll have a chance to go on a date with our Lumberjacks after the contest.

• Contestants will be judged by a small panel and the volume of the crowd’s cheers. Winners will be announced on the pier, then contestants will pose for an official photo. After, prize pickup and an optional singles mixer will take place at Beviamo. All competitors will receive a $10 gift card courtesy of Beviamo up the hill on Shelden Ave. A cash prize and other awards are up for grabs. All adults and identities 21+ are welcome.

Sign-up to save your spot today here!!!!

• FOUR LOCAL JUDGES: Your judges will be local legends B Lauer, Drew Cramer, Shelby Oja and Bettina Gregor! Dress to impress!

  • Shelby Oja - "I'm looking for someone who really captures the Yooper lifestyle and brings some true lumberjack qualities to the table: a quality flannel and a little rugged charm. Personally, I'm a sucker for a good mustache."

  • Drew Cramer - Local air guitar legend Drew Cramer is "Looking for someone who looks this good with an axe."

  • Bettina Gregor (a.k.a. Danielle's Mom) - "Strong enough to swing an axe, sweet enough to bring you a cup of cocoa."

  • B Lauer - "I like my beards well-mouisturized and my flannel classic. This panelist can be wooed by woodsiness, words, wit and a well-timed wink!"

FOOD TRUCKS:

• FIZZ Dirty Soda Company

  • FIZZ Dirty Soda Co. serves tasty fizzy drinks including energy drinks with custom flavors, kids drinks, and candy salad toppers. It’s a great family-friendly, N/A option at Brew Street.

• Bosio Biscuit Co

  • ​Find scratch-made comfort foods and British-inspired pub favorites for sale at Brew Street from Bosio Biscuit Co out of Chassell.

• Copper Island Bagels

  • ​Bagel sandwiches and other goodies will be hot and ready to go for your consumption from Copper Island Bagels from Lake Linden.

• Sister in Love's Bakery

  • ​Tasty fall-inspired baked goods will be served by Sister in Love's Bakery coming from L'Anse.

Saturday, OCT 3 (KEWEENAW COLOR RUN + FALL FEST)

KEWEENAW COLOR RUN (10-11:30 a.m.):

• Get colorful during this all-ages 5K fun run, walk, jog or frolic along the Portage Canal waterfront. Participants will start on the Houghton Pier with a group color toss before making their way through additional color stations along the route.

• The course travels from the pier to Prince’s Point, continues through Michigan Tech’s campus and returns downtown along College Avenue. The Keweenaw Color Run is a fundraiser organized by Circle UP as part of Canal Colors Festival. Advance registration is available through Eventbrite.

Color Run adds a whole new palette of color to the fall scene! 

FALL FEST (11 a.m.- 2 p.m)

• ALL DAY: Enjoy live music, giant pumpkins on display, plus kids' games and activities throughout the festival. Free cider and donuts will be available beginning at 11 a.m. while supplies last.

• PUMPKIN SALES: Take home the perfect Halloween pumpkin! The Canal Colors Committee is currently working to secure a pumpkin vendor for Fall Fest.

• FREE TRACTOR RIDES: Hop aboard with BigGoat Farm for complimentary tractor rides from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• SLED DOG MEET & GREET: Meet the team from Otter River Sled Dog Training Center and Wilderness Adventure, learn how these incredible dogs prepare for the CopperDog in March 2027, and say hello to the future racers.

(1 p.m.) Pie Eating Contest

• Sponsored by Range Bank!

• Up to ten contestants may compete in the Keweenaw Pie Eating Contest!

• Pies will be whole pumpkin pies topped heavily with cream.

• Pies will be served as they are consumed and delivered to contestants by volunteers.

• Competitors will have five minutes to compete.

• The person to eat the most pies wins.

• If there is a tie, a 30-second lightning round will determine the true winner.

• Prizes: $400 Cash Prize for the Winner. The person who eats the most pies wins. Additionally, a pie-themed leather good has been created and donated by local leathermaker Dead Miners for the winner. Contestants must sign a liability waiver prior to competing.

• Sign Up Now! Form is LIVE HERE.

Haybales, cider, and crisp fall air make for a picture-perfect day in Houghton!

Pride & Prejudice & Predator (3-9 p.m) - Movie Screenings

• The Orpheum Theater, 426 Quincy St, Hancock, MI 49930, USA

• (Doors and start times TBD)

  Wolf's Head Film invites you to an afternoon of refinement, romance, and relentless extraterrestrial violence.

  Join us for a most unusual double feature pairing the elegance of Pride & Prejudice (2005) with the jungle warfare of Predator (1987). Beginning in the afternoon, guests will enjoy a screening of Austen's beloved tale of courtship, class, and carefully controlled emotions—accompanied by high tea before we trade candlelight and corsets for camouflage and combat.

  Then, prepare yourselves for the arrival of one of cinema's greatest hunters as Predator brings us deep into the jungle for a battle of survival, honor, and extremely impressive biceps.

  Come dressed for the occasion: Regency elegance, jungle commandos, or anything that bridges the gap between ballroom and battlefield.

Oktoberfest @ Small Craft (3-10 p.m.)

• Small Craft Co., 101 Navy St. Hancock, MI 49930 - Oktoberfest
• Join the crew at Small Craft for an evening of German-style beers, Oktoberfest bites, and a canal-side fall celebration. Come raise a glass, soak up the autumn views, and celebrate Hancock-style.
• Rotating German Style Beer (3-10 p.m. | Bouyard)
  • ​Prost! We’re bringing a rotating lineup of German-style beers to the taps for Oktoberfest. Expect crisp lagers, refreshing pilsners, malty favorites, and other traditional styles throughout the celebration. Stop by, see what’s pouring, and find a new favorite to raise a glass with.
• Hammerschlagen (3-10 p.m. | Outdoor Bar)
  • ​Think you’ve got what it takes? Step up to the log and put your hammer skills to the test in this classic Oktoberfest game. Grab a beer, take your swing, and see if you can drive your nail home before the competition does.
• Beer Stein Holding Competition (4-5 p.m. | Bouyard)
  • ​Think you've got the arm strength to outlast the competition? Grab a full stein, hold it straight out at arm's length, and see who can go the longest without spilling a drop. Last stein standing wins bragging rights (and maybe a prize). Sign up onsite at the outdoor bar. New rounds start approximately every 10 minutes.
• ​Hotdogs From The Fitz (4-8 p.m. OR UNTIL SOLD OUT)
  • ​The Fitz is serving up hotdogs to keep you fueled for Oktoberfest. Grab a bite, pair it with a cold German-style pour, and get back to the party.
• Live: The World's Most Dangerous Polka Band (4-8 p.m. | Pavilion)
  • ​What’s Oktoberfest without polka? 🍺🎶 The World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band is bringing the classic sounds of Germany to the celebration. Grab a beer, snag a bite, and settle in for live polka, good company, and plenty of Oktoberfest fun.

SUNDAY, OCT 4

FINISH YOUR DIGITAL PLAIDURDAY PASSPORT! Here is a list of additional locations to check off:

• Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo (1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2)

  • Houghton High School Football Field, 1603 Gundlach Rd., Houghton

  • Listen for the secret code from the MC during the photo, you’ll need it to type into this check-in on the browser page.

  • Come join the Plaidurday Photo at the Houghton High School to knock this item off your Plaidurday Pass.

• Carnegie Museum (Open Thursday 12-5 p.m. & Saturday 12-4 p.m.)

  • The Carnegie Museum is featuring an exhibit on plaid’s origins in the Copper Country. 

  • 105 Huron St., Houghton

• Mont Ripley Fall Chairlift Ride (Time TBD)

  • Take fall color to new heights! Hop on the chairlift for a scenic ride above the Portage Canal and soak in the autumn views from a whole new perspective. 🍂

• Houghton-Douglass Falls (Any Time)

  • Michigan’s tallest waterfall is located on Highway M-26 just outside of Laurium, Michigan. Houghton-Douglass Falls was recently redeveloped with an easier walking trail and is about a half-mile in-and-out hike. Check this box off your Keweenaw Plaidurday Pass before Monday to complete your pass!

  • 54600 M-26, Laurium

• Surplus Outlet (Any Time)

  • Plaidurday’s official one-stop-shop for all things flannel. Check this shop out on Shelden Avenue in Houghton to suit up for Keweenaw Plaidurday.

  • 200 Shelden Ave., Houghton

• Prickly Pine (Any Time)

  • The Prickly Pine is the perfect fall stop for coffee and snacks. Stop in on Shelden Avenue to grab a pick-me-up.

  • 524 Shelden Ave., Houghton

• Quincy Mine & Smelter Tours (Any Time)

  • The Quincy Mine and Smelter are running tours this weekend. Enjoy the Canal Colors from a unique, historical perspective or wander the self-guided ground exhibits at Quincy Mine.

  • 49750 US-41, Hancock

• Keweenaw Welcome Center (Thursday & Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)

  • Come check out Visit Keweenaw’s Welcome Center in downtown Houghton and get the whole scoop on the Canal Colors Festival weekend.

  • Welcome Center Staff will provide the secret code.

  • 418 Shelden Ave., STE B, Houghton

Canal Colors Festival Sponsors

Canal Colors Festival wouldn’t be possible without the partners who’ve long been bringing these beloved events to life. Each has built traditions our community treasures and we’re grateful for their continued collaboration in making Canal Colors shine! THANK YOU TO LISTEN UP RADIO FOR BEING OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR.

Want to get involved? Contact Visit Keweenaw Managing Director Jesse Wiederhold at jesse@visitkeweenaw.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.