The morning of Saturday, February 10th, I checked in on my friends in our group chat. One reported that she was participating in a Polar Plunge in her community. Another said she was getting ready for a wedding. When I said I was going to go attend some outhouse races the response was, “Hi, sorry, what?”
I had gone over the list of events occurring over the weekend at the Two Harbors Winter Frolic and decided that the races taking place on 1st Street downtown were something I didn’t want to miss. If I had more time, however, there were so many other happenings I would have loved to attend.
The Winter Frolic is an annual event put on by the city with the help of sponsors such as Lovin’ Lake County, Waldo Signworks, Re/Max Professionals, Park State Bank, your very own Northshore Journal, and many others. Twoharborswinterfrolic.com urged the community to “Let us snow you a good time.” With all that was going on downtown, it would be hard not to have any fun.
On First Street, a crowd formed to see the races begin. Nearly the whole block had enough snow, which had to be hauled in, for the festivities. A couple of little kids were building themselves a hill with snowballs, delighted at the opportunity after this near snowless winter.
Before the outhouse races came the “smoosh race.” Participants in this race attached their shoes to two 8-foot by 2x4s and raced 50 yards in the snow. This year, two teams registered. The Holden Electric team stood casually near the start line in snazzy company jerseys and displayed no sign of nerves. The Neon Ladies, however, were having a hard time getting off the curb. Watching them find their feet was quite the pre-show entertainment.
They made their way down to the starting line as a Top Hat Carriage trotted up the street, a treat offered for free to those who wanted to take a fancy ride. A chainsaw buzzed in the background as John Gage showed off his chainsaw carving skills.
It was clear who would win the race from the get (sorry, ladies). The Holden Electric gentlemen knew what they were doing. “Left Right, Left Right, Left Right” they chanted together as they marched around the track like they’d been training all year. The Neon Ladies made it to the cone, but biffed on the way back. It was really fun to watch them giggle and topple over like dominoes into the snow.
As the outhouse races teed up, I should have grabbed some free coffee at the North Shore Title office, or perhaps checked out who was winning the bean bag competition. I could’ve warmed up in the North Shore Sauna Tent at the Harbor Rail Pub or stopped into the Castle Danger Brewery to try some Winter Frolic Ale. But I stayed put. I couldn’t risk missing out on the race.
Two “outhouses” were brought to the track, each affixed to skis. The race was sponsored by Larsons Septic and Superior Septic. More teams formed as the announcer declared there were cash prizes. Then they were off. Outhouse pushers sprinted and slipped across the course. The make-shift light-weight lavatories had an ease of skidding through the snow and provided each team with a “can-loo” attitude.
It was unfortunate that I was unable to stay for the tug-of-war. Nor was I able to hear the kids sing at Kids Karaoke, held at the Harbor Rail Pub. On my way out, however, I got a nice look at NiceAxe MN Axe Throwing’s set up. A young man was chucking an ax towards a target in a contained trailer and was all smiles. There were people gathered around the bonfire at the Moose Lodge, warming up a bit before checking out more fun. Later, there would be live music at three locations, making for a fun bar hopping opportunity that I was sad to miss out on.
The Two Harbors Winter Frolic committee ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy, no matter the generation. When they advertised “Let us snow you a good time,” they delivered on two promises. They brought the snow and had a really good time!
