BEMIDJI — Unicon21 continues through Friday, July 26, with an international community of unicyclists competing in various sports on singular wheels.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people gathered to watch unicyclists play flaming puck hockey outside Bemidji City Hall.
Like street hockey, flaming puck hockey is played while on a unicycle, but instead of a regular tennis ball, players pass around a flaming ball of fire to try to score.
Anybody could sign up to play, including young Emma Ploeger from Madison, Wisconsin, who shared she has only been unicycling for nine months.
"The unicycle community is so welcoming,” Ploeger said. “Like me, going out there today and being like, this is my first time. People were like, so encouraging and it's just great.”
Unicon21 organizers worked closely with the Bemidji Fire Department for the event, with fire trucks on display for visitors and locals, as well as a walking taco fundraiser for the department.
More unicycle hockey is scheduled on Friday, with a complete schedule of Bemidji’s unicycle events online.
