Date: February 24, 2017
Contact: Ellen Schrader, 906-483-3012
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.
