By BSU Alumni & Foundation
Published 11:00 am on February 25, 2026
An important part of campus life was Paul Bunyan Week (sometimes also called Paul Bunyan Days). The winter festivities resembled Homecoming and started at BSU in 1948.
Each year, a "Paul" and "Carrie" were chosen to reside over the carnival. Students on campus were encouraged to dress as lumberjacks and lumberjills, and for a few years, men were even required to grow beards — facing a fine if they didn't.
The week featured events such as snow sculpting, concerts, and dances. Some events changed over the years. During the 1970s, the best tobacco spitter and longest cigarette ash contests occurred. In the 1980s, these changed to the best cherry pit spitter and bubble gum blowing contests.
Paul Bunyan Week was created by Jolly Erickson, a longtime do-it-all coach for Bemidji State College. Erickson — likely more than any other person on campus — perpetuated the development of Paul Bunyan Week into a college tradition and an epicenter of school pride.
Paul Bunyan Week was created by Jolly Erickson, a longtime do-it-all coach for Bemidji State College. Erickson — likely more than any other person on campus — perpetuated the development of Paul Bunyan Week into a college tradition and an epicenter of school pride.
