Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Some of the 925 people dressed in plaid for Friday’s Plaidurday event do the wave after the group photo.

HOUGHTON — The oranges and blacks most common on the Houghton High School football field had their place in the mishmash of colors arrayed between the 35-yard lines Friday afternoon.

But more important was the pattern: plaid.

More than 900 people congregated on the field for Visit Keweenaw’s second annual Plaidurday activity in Houghton.

Last year’s tally of more than 1,700 people broke the official world record by more than 300 people, but has yet to be certified by Guinness World Records. Rather than pursue certification, which carries a cost of about $23,000, organizers instead set up a friendly rivalry with Marquette and Ironwood, said Jesse Wiederhold, public relations and events coordinator with Visit Keweenaw. Friday’s count of 925 showed Houghton beating them both.

It’s like an unofficial school picture day for the Keweenaw, Wiederhold said, even before factoring in the Houghton students who got some time away from their classes.

“Last year and this year, I feel the energy in the air when I wake up,” he said. “It’s a day when everyone can just smile and be together with whoever they want out here.”

The plaid was not just fun, it’s culturally significant, Wiederhold said. The worldwide celebration of plaid was launched in 2011. It’s taken off in the U.P., where hunters and other proud Yoopers often already have gear in their closet.

“We’re a proud group of people, and this is our chance to display that proudly,” he said.

Mike Olson of Toivola had also been at last year’s event. He hadn’t known this year’s was coming until his friend told him, “We’re going to go to the high school at 12:30 dressed in plaid,” he said. A friend gave him a ride to pick up some of plaid.

The Jeffers graduate also got to share the day with his grandchildren, who go to Houghton Middle School. His red plaid was paired with a crisp hat of black and orange.

“I’ve got the Gremlins hat — Go Gremlins,” he said.

Olson’s friend, Jim Hoke of Hancock, agreed.

“It’s the camaraderie,” he said. A few seconds later, he turned to address another old friend in plaid: “How ya doin’, young fella?”

This year’s Plaidurday was also broadened to include Brew Street, a Friday night street party on the Houghton Waterfront Pier. Beer was only part of the night, which also included local food trucks and live music.

Wiederhold said the idea came as a way to bridge the gap between the afternoon Plaidurday celebration and Saturday’s Fall Fest.

“I know it’s busy because of fall colors, but what is there to do?” he said. “So we’re adding to this weekend really intentionally.”

The Keweenaw Brewing Co. is sponsoring the event, which is also a fundraiser for the Carnegie Museum.

Wiederhold is proud of what Plaidurday has brought to the community.

“I hope we do it forever,” he said. “I hope we started something that people will do in generations.”