Yooper culture lives on in annual Mr. U.P. Pageant
NEGAUNEE — The fourth annual Mr. Upper Peninsula Pageant took place Friday evening at the Historic Vista Theater in Negaunee, and had many Yoopers celebrating their own culture.
This year’s celebration of the Yooper man pitted 10 contestants against each other, all from age 18 to 74, as they fought to earn the coveted title. From swim wear to talent divisions, these men really proved that Yoopers are proud to live in the Upper Peninsula. The comedy and fun couldn’t be contained!
“I’m super excited to see who the new Mr. Upper Peninsula will be, and I know everyone else is super excited too,” said Mr. U.P. 2017, Robert Kemp. “As the years go on, more hype builds up, and more people show up.”
“This is a great honor, and I hope that we raise enough money to do a lot of good for the theatre here,” said 2018 contestant, Bill Hager. “It’s going to be lots of fun – and that’s what life’s about.”
The crown was passed to Michael Darlington-West! U.P. men are quite the unique breed, but the crowd was wild for their antics.