The Smackdown offers Copper Country high school students the chance to test their knowledge of all things history-including geography and geology-related to Keweenaw, Baraga, Ontonagon, and Houghton counties. Its format is similar to a spelling bee: teams of four players are asked short-answer questions about local history topics, which increase in difficulty as the rounds go higher. The contest features a double-elimination format-two wrong answers are out of play-but they are given the chance to pass on one question.
All high-school age contestants are welcome to form their own teams at school or independent of school sponsorship; church groups, scouting groups or other youth groups are also welcome to participate. The registration deadline is Thursday April 6, 2017, so now is the time to assemble a team!
Preparation can be formal or informal, but those that take time to study the sources may proceed farther in the competition. Questions are drawn from a variety of references, from books to websites, all listed on the Smackdown webpage below. However, those who simply want to be a part of a fun night of local history are still encouraged to participate.
The event will take place at the historic Calumet Theatre, located at 340 Sixth Street in Calumet, Michigan, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017. For more information and to register teams contact Ellen Schrader at (906) 483-3012 or ellen_schrader@nps.gov. Registration information and other details about the event will also be available soon at www.nps.gov/kewe under Special Events.
To learn more, contact Keweenaw National Historical Park at (906) 337-3168 or check the web at www.nps.gov/kewe.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
