MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – It’s September 6 and for those in the UP, it’s known as 906 Day, a day Yoopers celebrate everything they love about the U.P. There are a lot of traditions that make this land a yoopers land, from hiking, charter fishing, and of course, wearing plaid, but 906 Day has always held a special spot on the calendar.
“It’s been quite a long time since 906 has become a pretty synonymous symbol for the Upper Peninsula,” commented the Founder of 906 Day Bugsy Sailor. Today marks its 13th annual year and Sailor noted that without the community to birth the tradition, there might not be a point.
“The essence of being a yooper the essence of appreciating the UP and 906 day is that we all have a unique way of celebrating what this place has to offer,” continued Sailor.
For some, it’s taking sunrise photos, and for others, a little more permanent memory. Earlier today, New Age tattoos had people lined up outside the shop, huddled under umbrellas, awaiting the 906-day tattoo.
“It was about 9:30 this morning…my friends who we are staying with said hey it’s 906 days we wanna go get a tattoo wanna join us I’m like sure,” commented a Grand Rapids Resident Maria Diekema. Some community members call the lake mother superior and comment that the tattoo is a way of keeping it with them for a lifetime.
“It’s the people for sure but the lake too I can’t imagine not living by it we call it Mother Superior cause she offers us a lot of clarity and healing… just the best place, that’s why I’m getting her tattooed on my arm,” commented Marquette Resident Kelsy Debelak.
