Michigan kids get down and dirty at annual Mud Day

Zach Miller, 10, of Livonia, wipes his face with mud in Westland, Mich., Tuesday. Hundreds of kids enjoyed the annual Mud Fest event in the 7-by-150-foot mud pit.

Allissa Sudak, 12, of Monroe plays in the mud in Westland, Mich., Tuesday. Hundreds of kids enjoyed the annual Mud Day event in a 7-by-150-foot mud pit.

Zach Miller, 10, of Livonia lies in mud in Westland, Mich., Tuesday.

Logan Palshan, 12, of Taylor runs in the mud in Westland, Mich., Tuesday.

Stephanie Strong, 9, standing, helps Grace Lipscomb, 10, both of Howell, wheel barrow in the mud in Westland, Mich., Tuesday.

WESTLAND, Michigan — Here’s mud in your eye. And your hair, back and legs.

It was a mother’s nightmare and a kid’s fantasy come true. Hundreds of children on Tuesday jumped into a 75-by-150-foot mud pit as part of the 26th annual Mud Day at a park in the Detroit suburb of Westland.

Events included wheelbarrow races and playing limbo.

A panel of judges selected a king and queen, based on their creative uses of mud.

Emily Cunningham of Riverview was chosen Queen of Mud.

A crown was placed atop the 8-year-old’s head, which was caked in mud and adorned with leaves and a stick. She says, “It’s fun getting mud all over you.”

And after it was over, the Western Wayne Hazmat team was there to hose off muddy children.