60th Tip-Up-Town USA in Houghton Lake, Michigan

This year is the 60th anniversary of Michigan's largest winter festival, Tip-Up-Town USA. It is held annually in Houghton Lake, Michigan, during the last two weekends of January. For more than 20 years Tip-Up-Town USA has been among the top 10 winter festivals in the country with approximately 80,000 visitors attending.

Tip-Up-Town USA has a wide variety of events to participate in or watch. Tip-Up-Town USA Badges are needed for entry to many of the winter festival events. Each badge costs $6, children 5 and under are free.

Tip-Up-Town USA began in February 1951 with a group of local ice fishermen. They started Tip-Up-Town USA to bring people to the Houghton Lake area of Michigan for ice fishing and winter fun. The Fishing Contest that is held every year still promotes ice fishing. Contestants must have a Tip-Up-Town USA Badge to enter and pre-registration is not required. Fish must be caught from Houghton Lake during the festival weekends. There are contest categories for adults and children. You can read the complete rules and regulations for the contest here.

A highlight of Tip-Up-Town USA is the Polar Bear Dip which will be held on January 30^th, 2010. This event has been a favorite of my family for years. There's nothing like watching family members, dressed in their bathing suits, jumping through a hole in the ice of Houghton Lake! It's a crazy, fun-filled event that attracts hundreds of spectators.

This year Tip-Up-Town USA will be held on January 22^nd - 24^th and 29^th - 31st. Events begin with an evening illuminated snowmobile parade on January 22^nd. You can also enjoy family skating, or live music in the Beverage Tent on Friday night. Saturday morning, wake up for the Grand Parade and bed races down the main road of Houghton Lake. Children will love to visit the Family Fun Tent for pony rides, petting zoo, kids' snowmobile rides, and the Home Depot Make-it Take-It. A live reindeer exhibit, ice slide, carnival rides and games will delight children! Adults can also participate in Redneck horseshows, the Poker Run, Medallion Hunt, antique snowmobile display, and softball on ice. There will be helicopter rides, ice boat rides, and tethered balloon rides for thrill-lovers!

Fireworks over frozen Houghton Lake are held on both Saturday nights of Tip-Up-Town USA. Church services will be held on Sunday mornings. An indoor craft show is held January 24-25 at the Houghton Lake Middle School Gym. The craft show is always a favorite with the ladies who want to shop and get warm!

Get dressed in your warmest long johns and winter outfits, come to Houghton Lake, Michigan and enjoy Tip-Up-Town USA this year!