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All the United States Michigan Elk Rapids Talula the Elk Rapids Swan

Talula the Elk Rapids Swan

Talula the swan has been welcoming visitors to Elk Rapids, Michigan, for more than four decades.

Elk Rapids, Michigan

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Rick Brown
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Talula the swan in front of the Elk Rapids Chamber offices.   rickbbiking / Atlas Obscura User
Talula the swan in front of the Elk Rapids Chamber offices.   rickbbiking / Atlas Obscura User
Front view of Talula the swan.   rickbbiking / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Generally, one would expect a town named Elk Rapids to have an elk as its mascot. Elk Rapids High School does. But when the town’s chamber of commerce decided to design a float to carry the 1966 Miss Elk Rapids in the National Cherry Festival and Harbor Days parades, a swan was chosen instead.

A few years later, the swan, since named Talula, was placed next to the Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center overlooking Elk Lake on the east side U.S. 31. Talula has been greeting visitors, travelers, and newcomers alike, to this charming town situated part way between Traverse City and Charlevoix ever since. Talula the swan stands approximately 15 feet tall and is cared for and maintained by the Elk Rapids High School shop class. In 2014, her beak was repainted from orange to black to represent a friendlier species of swan. 

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Local History Birds Sculptures Animals

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The swan is very easy to access and visible from U.S. 31.

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Added By

rickbbiking

Published

March 4, 2019

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Sources
  • http://www.elkrapidschamber.org/pages/faqs
  • https://mynorth.com/2014/06/a-friendlier-swan-comes-to-elk-rapids/
Talula the Elk Rapids Swan
305 US-31
Elk Rapids, Michigan
United States
44.896173, -85.409571
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Nearby Places

Spirit of the Woods Museum

Williamsburg, Michigan

miles away

Cherry Growers Weigh Station

Traverse City, Michigan

miles away

Old Mission General Store

Traverse City, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Michigan

Michigan

United States

Places 271
Stories 29

Nearby Places

Spirit of the Woods Museum

Williamsburg, Michigan

miles away

Cherry Growers Weigh Station

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miles away

Old Mission General Store

Traverse City, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Michigan

Michigan

United States

Places 271
Stories 29

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