Hiding within all the beauty and fun of Maine is our quirky side. We are sometimes a wacky place to live and I’ve yet to meet a single person who isn’t at least a little bit proud of this. From mattress races in the winter to an entire festival devoted to whoopie pies, we know who we are and love to celebrate it. But I recently saw a competition that brings this idea to a whole new level. Did you guys know that the North American Wife Carrying Championship takes place right here in Vacationland? We had no idea and now that we do, we can’t help wanting to share it!

The North American Wife Carrying Championship is, arguably, the best part of Sunday River's annual Fall Festival.
Sunday River / Facebook
The competition, which has taken place here for years, brings some couples together. Though, we think it probably creates problems for some.
Sunday River / Facebook
Teams made up of men and women must make their way through a regulation obstacle course. The wife can be carried any way the team prefers, but many teams use the tried-and-true "Estonian carry" which features the wife holding the husband by the waist, with her legs wrapped around his neck. This allows him to keep his hands free.
Competitors are free to wear whatever they'd like.
Sunday River / Facebook
This wife chose to really drive the word "wife" home by wearing a white dress (over sweats) while hubby has a tuxedo tee.
The course features log hurdles...
Sunday River / Facebook
...and sand traps.
Sunday River / Facebook

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But, the true test comes near the end when competitors are forced to traverse the "Widow Maker," a pool of muddy water.
Sunday River / Facebook
It proves to be the end of the road for some couples. Do you like being dropped into muddy water after bouncing through an obstacle course?
But, for the most part, this is a fun competition.
Sunday River / Facebook
And if you can make it through while keeping a smile on your face you've already won half the battle!
But, of course, the official winner is only the first team that crosses that finish line.
Sunday River / Facebook
When they do, they'll have earned themselves a spot at the World Championship taking place in Finland next summer.
More exciting for some is the local prize - your weight in beer along with cold, hard cash.
Sunday River / Facebook
While Wife Carrying is pretty entertaining, it's not the only fun event taking place at Sunday River.
Sunday River / Facebook
Check them out in the winter to watch a bunch of Santas ski their way down the mountain.
In the spring, head to the mountain for the annual Spring Festival, which we all know is really called the Parrothead Festival.
Sunday River / Facebook

Even if you’re not willing to participate in such a thing, it’s fun to watch. And, lucky for us, it’s coming up! The annual Sunday River Fall Festival takes place on Saturday, October 8th, 2016 and the Wife Carrying Championship begins at 11am. If you want to compete, sign up here. Registration is $25 + a $2.50 sign-up fee. Hurry! Right now, there are only 48 spots left!

Looking for a little instruction before the big day? Check out this video for a few tips on carrying a human while competing in an obstacle course:

Looking for more wacky things to do in Maine? Check out these strange (and often fascinating) places you can visit!

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