The 32nd Trenary Outhouse Classic is Saturday

By Noah Johnson

njohnson@dailypress.net

TRENARY –î A one-of-a-kind Yooper tradition returns to the UP this weekend with the 32nd Trenary Outhouse Classic.

Held on the last Saturday in February for the past three decades, the event showcases contestants’ creativity and speed as the two-person teams race their homemade outhouses down Trenary’s Main Street.

The 32-year-old tradition began in 1994, when local Yooper Toivo Aho was inspired by a similar race in Washington State.

Since its first year in 1994, the race brings thousands of people to the small town of Trenary. According to the 2025 Trenary Outhouse Race pamphlet, Trenary is “a sleepy little town, except on the last Saturday in February. That’s when the population of Trenary (normally about 400 people) swells to about 4,000.”

The theme for the race this year is: “It’ll be a Blast at da Turdy Second Ever!”

The races begin at 2 p.m., with contestants competing in six different categories, including Squirts, ages five to eight; Squeakers, ages nine to 12; Dingleberrys, ages 13 to 17; Stinkers, ages 18 to 35; Da Sharts, ages 36 to 49; and Old Farts, ages 50 and over.

Contestants in each category not only go home with a trophy but a monetary prize as well.

Trenary Outhouse Classic President Stacy Rucinski said the event is excellent for the town and those who attend.

“It’s just such a fun time,” she said.

After the kids’ races, more fun activities take place during intermission.

Returning this year is the annual fur hat contest, where contestants can win a cash prize while looking stylish and warm. Also returning is the mullet contest, where judges determine who has the most stylish or creative mullet that day.

Intermission also includes the announcement of the raffle drawing winners, where lucky winners will collect a prize ranging from $250 to $1,000.

All of the raffle tickets, roughly 500, were sold out by Feb. 10.

During intermission, there will also be a 50/50 raffle before returning to the snow track for the final adult races.

According to the pamphlet, “Some outhouses are very simple, and some are so elaborate you wouldn’t mind having them in your own backyard.”

It only cost $5 for a pin to enter the races on the day; entrance pins were sold at various Trenary businesses for $3 in the days/weeks prior to the event.

A portion of the funds raised goes right back to the local community, according to Rucinski. This includes funds for student scholarships, playground equipment for Superior Central High School, fireworks for the 4th of July celebration, as well as other various community members and organizations.

“We try to put it back into our community, you know, between the three towns of Eben, Chatham and Trenary,” Rucinski said.

She also wanted to recognize the volunteers’ efforts to make the event possible.

“We honestly couldn’t do it without them,” Rucinski said.

In addition to the races and contests, Main Street is full of fun, food, and vendors where guests can purchase t-shirts, sweatshirts, or other official Outhouse gear to commemorate the day.

The 2025 race is sponsored by Rustic UP Retreat, Trenary Tavern, A&A Construction, Chatham Pub, Gwinn Modeltown Market, Holmquist Feedmill, Junction Auto, Kassels-Rumley, New Moon Bar, Trenary Home Bakery, Trenary Mini-Mart, Chatham Co-op, Mama Cows, North Light Credit Union, Snack Bar, UP Gormet Mushrooms, Aho Milling & Molding. Embers Credit Union, Knaus Recycling, Gemini Studios and Trenary Northern Trails.

For more information, follow the races’ Facebook page at Trenary Outhouse Classic.