Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
MUSKEGON, MI – What might have been considered trash by some turned into a tourism gimmick for Muskegon, and now they've extended the opportunity to Milwaukee.
Sister cities Milwaukee and Muskegon have exchanged traffic cones that are exploring both Lake Michigan shorelines' tourism offerings.
A Milwaukee traffic drum washed up on a Muskegon beach earlier this month and became an instant social media star while showing off the city's attributes. After a couple weeks, Muskegon officials delivered a traffic cone to Milwaukee to have its own adventures.
The two cities are connected by the Lake Express, a high-speed ferry that carries passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan in two hours, making cross-promotion opportune.
The gimmick began when an orange City of Milwaukee traffic barrel washed up at Pere Marquette Park beach in Muskegon in early October. City officials have been carting "Darrel the Barrel" to attractions and events ever since.
Darrel's romp around the Muskegon can be found on the city's Facebook page and include things like crashing a wedding, visiting local businesses and posing with admirers.
'Darrel the Barrel' washes up on beach, becomes instant Muskegon celebrity
Muskegon took the shtick a step further when officials delivered “Ramon the Cone” to Milwaukee last week.
"We thought we could show our appreciation for letting us show Darrel around by giving them Ramon the traffic cone!" a Facebook post by City of Muskegon Government said. "Thank you, Milwaukee for hosting our Muskegon cone."
Milwaukee doesn't appear to have embraced the comedy in the same way Muskegon has, but the cone was welcomed by host Port of Milwaukee and Milwaukee DPW, from which Darrel came, also welcomed Ramon via Facebook.
"As #DarrelTheBarrel enjoys his time in #Muskegon, #RamonTheCone will be an esteemed guest of DPW Milwaukee, Port of Milwauke and Lake Express High Speed Ferry," a Milwaukee DPW post said on Oct. 21.
The Port of Milwaukee said in a separate post that Ramon would tour the city in the days to come.
Darrel’s travels have included the L.C. Walker Arena for skating lessons and hockey games; a visit to downtown senior apartments, Berkshire Muskegon; a trip to the Muskegon Farmers Market; a tour of the Muskegon Heritage Museum; an invite to a surprise 50th birthday party; appearances at football games; drop-ins at local businesses; and radio interviews. He even crashed a wedding.
Tuesday, Oct. 15, was a special day for Darrel as he delivered an “epic monologue” on the stage of Frauenthal Center, led story time at the Hackley Public Library and gave tips on how to a “great barrel chest” at the Muskegon Community College Lakeshore Fitness Center.
Milwaukee TV news station Today's TMJ4 reported on Friday, Oct. 11, that Darrel’s celebrity status is "uniting Muskegon with the Brew City."
Follow the antics by searching #DarrelTheBarrel and #RamonTheCone on Facebook. Continue scrolling here to find photos of Darrel's adventures so far.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at MCC's Lakeshore Fitness Center
Darrel the Barrel demostrates how to get a barrel chest at MCC's Lakeshore Fitness Center, 900 Western Ave. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at the Frauenthal Center
Darrel the Barrel prepares for his monologue at the Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate
Darrel the Barrel attends skating lessons with Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L.C. Walker Arena, 470 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate
Darrel the Barrel attends skating lessons with Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L.C. Walker Arena, 470 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate
Darrel the Barrel attends skating lessons with Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L.C. Walker Arena, 470 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Aldea Coffee
Darrel the Barrel helps celebrate the grand opening of Aldea Coffee, 794 Pine St. in downtown Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Aldea Coffee
Darrel the Barrel helps celebrate the grand opening of Aldea Coffee, 794 Pine St. in downtown Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Riversedge Lifestyle Photography
Darrel the Barrel gets made up for his fashion photo shoot at Riversedge Lifestyle Photography, 845 Terrace St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Radium Photo
Darrel the Barrel poses for his staff ID at Radium Photo, 835 Terrace St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at the Montague vs. Whitehall football game
Darrel the Barrel finds a spot in the stands to enjoy the cross-town rivalry football game between the Whitehall and Montague squads.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at the Montague vs. Whitehall football game
Darrel the Barrel poses with members of the Whitehall High School Marching Band during the cross-town rivalry football game between the Whitehall and Montague squads.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Hamburger Mikey
Darrel the Barrel orders a hamburger and fries at Hamburger Mikey, 1129 Third St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Tyler Sales
Darrel the Barrel makes himself at home while visiting with kegs at Tyler Sales, a Muskegon beer distributor.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at WUVS 103.7FM
Darrel the Barrel poses for a photo while visiting WUVS 103.7FM, a local Muskegon radio station.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel in Midtown
Darrel the Barrel poses with a new mural in Midtown Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at The Fishmonger's Wife
Darrel the Barrel poses at The Fishmonger's Wife in Norton Shores.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Heritage Museum
Darrel the Barrel poses for a photo on the main floor of the three-story Muskegon Heritage Museum, 561 W. Western Ave., that highlights the city's industrial past.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Third Coast Vinyl
Darrel the Barrel searches for the right record at Third Coast Vinyl, 1115 Third St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Third Coast Vinyl
Darrel the Barrel searches for the right record at Third Coast Vinyl, 1115 Third St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at The Griffin's Rest
Darrel the Barrel poses with a group at The Griffin's Rest, 1121 Third St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at The Griffin's Rest
Darrel the Barrel plays Scrabble at The Griffin's Rest, 1121 Third St. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Fricano's Place
Darrel the Barrel takes a turn working the pizza oven at Fricano's Place, 1050 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at the Frauenthal Center
Darrel the Barrel prepares for his monologue at the Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.
Courtesy of the City of Muskegon
Darrel the Barrel at Hackley Public Library
Darrel the Barrel poses in front of a stained glass window at Hackley Public Library, 316 W. Webster Ave. in Muskegon.
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