Photos and video: Jigsaw Puzzle Contest Racer put it together – Duluth News Tribune

Duluth-es may not be the name of the event, but it was a regular puzzle Palooza because hundreds of people in Lake Superior Ballroom at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center spent on Saturday to look for edges and interjambs during the annual Duluth-Puzzle competition.

“Five, four, three, two, one … puzzle,” called Stacey Deroche, event coordinator for the competition, in a microphone to start a round of the competition.

Usually putting together a puzzle is a relaxing, leisurely activity. But in this competition it was a race and not only the eyes of the participants on the different parts, their eyes were also on the prices.

“We are twice as high as what we had last year, when it comes to teams. We just can't believe it,” said Deroche.

According to Deroche, the registration numbers were over 250, with more than 200 teams consisting of two to four people, depending on the division and around 50 individual candidates. Some took part in several departments. The Minnesota Jigsaw Puzzle Association organized the competition, which started for the first time in 2014 and was previously known as Duluth Puzzle Derby. Over the years, the competition took place in the St. Louis County Depot, Clyde Iron Works, Holiday Inn and even twice during the Covid 19 pandemy. The 2025 competition was a milestone for organizers.

“We had spoken in the conversations for a few years, we said:” Wouldn't it be great if this were something that we could bring to the DECC? “But it was like a pipe dream, it wasn't like something serious, and it's a dream to bring it to the Decc and just explode.”

Karin Stedman from Cloquet and her mother Beth Boatz von Blaine, Minnesota, are no strangers for the competition.

“As a family, we always puzzled how they grow up,” said Stedman. “We saw the competition for the first time in 2016, and we have been doing it every year since then and we just enjoy a little competitive nature and puzzles.”

Since we are two hours apart in the distance, we have the chance to spend some time together, ”added Boatz.

The daughter's duo successfully completed a puzzle before noon in an hour, three minutes and 19 seconds, a time with which they were satisfied.

Kelly Grucelski from Minneapolis was part of a group of four teachers and puzzle enthusiasts with schools in Roseville Area – District 623, which they represented with special shirts.

“It is full today because we have registered for three competitions. So it is like an endurance -also in addition to the challenge, but this was fantastic,” said Grucelski. “You could always move and always be puzzling and not be frustrated at all, 10 to 10.”

James Ethington from Superior and his girlfriend Abby Carlbom from Duluth had their first taste for the competition. When the team called “confused poodle”, the watch was not on its side.

“Put on the last team there,” joked Ethington.

“Well, not yet,” replied Carlbom.

“Well, that's good,” added Ethington.

The confused pasta needed more than the maximum 90 minutes in their round to complete their puzzles. But when the success is measured in the smile and laughter, they were big winners.

“We did it,” said Echton.

The day ended with another premiere for the event with a 1,000-part round with a brand new publication by the competition sponsor Puzzletwist called “Heart of Duluth”.

In addition to the showdowns on Saturday, the celebrations for the competition on Friday evening began with a puzzle puzzle social and a swap at Wild State Cider in Duluth.

Dan Williamson joined the Duluth News Tribune in June 2021, where he is involved in digital content such as video, photos and podcasts and covers Breaking News. Before that, he worked on television as a sports director/anchor at WDIO-TV in Duluth, sports director/anchor in Bismarck, ND, News and Sports Anchor at KSAX-TV in Alexandria and Reporter/photographer/editor with the syndicated show “Life to the Max” in Eden Pririe. He was also the development director of the Duluth Salvation Army. Williamson grew up in Alexandria, completed St. Cloud State University and has lived in Duluth since 2012.