Grand Marais was a busy place during Moose Madness on October 19 – 21, as fans of Murray the Moose followed him around town. Jessica Carlson of East Bethel gives the big moose a smooch!
The streets of Grand Marais were crowded with families on Friday – Sunday, October 19 – 21 as Moose Madness 2012 was under way. Kids crowded around Murray the Moose while parents filled out word searches and took part in other activities to earn “moose bucks.” The weather cooperated and it looked as if everyone had a great time.
The hub for all the fun was the Grand Marais Tourist Information Center AKA Moose Central for the weekend. It was there that people picked up their Moose Madness schedules, found the first Moose Medallion Hunt clues and registered for a grand prize drawing.
The winner of the grand prize—a two night’s stay in Grand Marais was Michelle VandenPlas of St. Paul. Cook County Visitor’s Bureau representative Anna Klobuchar had the fun job of contacting her to let her know she had won. “I just informed her, and she and her kids are thrilled!” Klobuchar told the News-Herald.
Above: Murray seemed to be everywhere and he gave a group of kids a run for their money in the Moose Race on the beach by Harbor Park. Upper right: Gunflint Mercantile was a sweet place to be on Saturday, October 20. Kids of all ages stopped in to decorate cookies and delicious caramel apples—and to gobble them up! Right: Liam Burow, 3, of Schroeder saw Murray and gave a moose call. Murray was quite impressed!
The winner of the scavenger hunt and finder of the elusive Moose Medallion was Tom and Julie Nelson, and their son Caster, of Grand Marais. Caster, just barely a toddler, was instrumental in spotting the gold medallion under the Info Center information bike late Saturday afternoon. “Many, many people looked for it this year, and it was fun to have the search continue into both days,” said Klobuchar.
Lastly, the winner of the “Share Your Moose Art” competition was Ellie Thirsten, from the metro area. She made a stencil of a large moose on birch bark backing, and the voters at Moose Central decided her entry was the most stunning.
Klobuchar added thanks to the folks who helped bring Murray to life for the event—Cook County High School band members—Levi Axtell, Luke Fenwick, Jake Carlson and music director Kerri Bilben. One of them even competed in the Moose Tracks Race on the beach at Harbor Park.
“They were troopers as Murray the Moose,” said Klobuchar. “They really did a great job, shared some hefty costume shift time, and the kids and parents loved them.”
Congratulations to the Cook County News-Herald Moose Cartoon Contest Winners! T. Spaulding, 5, Grand Valley, MN won in the 0-6 age group with this silly ham sandwich cartoon.
Emma Stanek, 9 ½, Lakeville, MN, won in the 7-10 category with her moose making a splash!
This very clever cartoon comes to us from Jesse Spaulding, 15, Golden Valley, MN. We think moose drive moose-tangs too!
Mary Jo Flack of Hovland won the prize for cartoonists over 16-years-old for her Pop’lar Minne-Sorta mad Moose Minuet of Hovland Holler. Thanks to all who entered—we love seeing your Moose Madness ideas!
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