Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

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MUSKEGON, MI – What might have been considered trash by some turned into a tourism gimmick for Muskegon, and now they've extended the opportunity to Milwaukee.

Sister cities Milwaukee and Muskegon have exchanged traffic cones that are exploring both Lake Michigan shorelines' tourism offerings.

A Milwaukee traffic drum washed up on a Muskegon beach earlier this month and became an instant social media star while showing off the city's attributes. After a couple weeks, Muskegon officials delivered a traffic cone to Milwaukee to have its own adventures.

The two cities are connected by the Lake Express, a high-speed ferry that carries passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan in two hours, making cross-promotion opportune.

The gimmick began when an orange City of Milwaukee traffic barrel washed up at Pere Marquette Park beach in Muskegon in early October. City officials have been carting "Darrel the Barrel" to attractions and events ever since.

Darrel's romp around the Muskegon can be found on the city's Facebook page and include things like crashing a wedding, visiting local businesses and posing with admirers.

'Darrel the Barrel' washes up on beach, becomes instant Muskegon celebrity

Muskegon took the shtick a step further when officials delivered “Ramon the Cone” to Milwaukee last week.

"We thought we could show our appreciation for letting us show Darrel around by giving them Ramon the traffic cone!" a Facebook post by City of Muskegon Government said. "Thank you, Milwaukee for hosting our Muskegon cone."

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Some City staff visited Milwaukee this week so we thought we could show our appreciation for letting us show Darrel... Posted by City of Muskegon Government on Friday, October 18, 2019

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Milwaukee doesn't appear to have embraced the comedy in the same way Muskegon has, but the cone was welcomed by host Port of Milwaukee and Milwaukee DPW, from which Darrel came, also welcomed Ramon via Facebook.

"As #DarrelTheBarrel enjoys his time in #Muskegon, #RamonTheCone will be an esteemed guest of DPW Milwaukee, Port of Milwauke and Lake Express High Speed Ferry," a Milwaukee DPW post said on Oct. 21.

The Port of Milwaukee said in a separate post that Ramon would tour the city in the days to come.

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Port Milwaukee was honored to host a #freshwater business development delegation from the City of Muskegon Government... Posted by Port Milwaukee on Thursday, October 17, 2019

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Darrel’s travels have included the L.C. Walker Arena for skating lessons and hockey games; a visit to downtown senior apartments, Berkshire Muskegon; a trip to the Muskegon Farmers Market; a tour of the Muskegon Heritage Museum; an invite to a surprise 50th birthday party; appearances at football games; drop-ins at local businesses; and radio interviews. He even crashed a wedding.

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Darrel enjoyed practicing with the kids at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L. C. Walker Arena! He then warmed... Posted by City of Muskegon Government on Sunday, October 20, 2019

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Tuesday, Oct. 15, was a special day for Darrel as he delivered an “epic monologue” on the stage of Frauenthal Center, led story time at the Hackley Public Library and gave tips on how to a “great barrel chest” at the Muskegon Community College Lakeshore Fitness Center.

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Darrel was in a giving mood today. He gave an epic monologue at the Frauenthal Center. He gave tips on how to get a... Posted by City of Muskegon Government on Tuesday, October 15, 2019

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Milwaukee TV news station Today's TMJ4 reported on Friday, Oct. 11, that Darrel’s celebrity status is "uniting Muskegon with the Brew City."

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Darrel the Barrel, a Milwaukee construction barrel that washed ashore in Michigan, is a celebrity now Darrel the Barrel, a Milwaukee construction barrel that somehow washed ashore in Michigan, is a celebrity now - and he's uniting Muskegon with the Brew City! 😂 MORE: https://on.tmj4.com/2B5AVN8 Posted by TODAY'S TMJ4 on Friday, October 11, 2019

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Follow the antics by searching #DarrelTheBarrel and #RamonTheCone on Facebook. Continue scrolling here to find photos of Darrel's adventures so far.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at MCC's Lakeshore Fitness Center

Darrel the Barrel demostrates how to get a barrel chest at MCC's Lakeshore Fitness Center, 900 Western Ave. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at the Frauenthal Center

Darrel the Barrel prepares for his monologue at the Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate

Darrel the Barrel attends skating lessons with Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L.C. Walker Arena, 470 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate

Darrel the Barrel attends skating lessons with Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L.C. Walker Arena, 470 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate

Darrel the Barrel attends skating lessons with Muskegon Lakeshore Learn to Skate at the L.C. Walker Arena, 470 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Aldea Coffee

Darrel the Barrel helps celebrate the grand opening of Aldea Coffee, 794 Pine St. in downtown Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Aldea Coffee

Darrel the Barrel helps celebrate the grand opening of Aldea Coffee, 794 Pine St. in downtown Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Riversedge Lifestyle Photography

Darrel the Barrel gets made up for his fashion photo shoot at Riversedge Lifestyle Photography, 845 Terrace St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Radium Photo

Darrel the Barrel poses for his staff ID at Radium Photo, 835 Terrace St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at the Montague vs. Whitehall football game

Darrel the Barrel finds a spot in the stands to enjoy the cross-town rivalry football game between the Whitehall and Montague squads.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at the Montague vs. Whitehall football game

Darrel the Barrel poses with members of the Whitehall High School Marching Band during the cross-town rivalry football game between the Whitehall and Montague squads.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Hamburger Mikey

Darrel the Barrel orders a hamburger and fries at Hamburger Mikey, 1129 Third St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Tyler Sales

Darrel the Barrel makes himself at home while visiting with kegs at Tyler Sales, a Muskegon beer distributor.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at WUVS 103.7FM

Darrel the Barrel poses for a photo while visiting WUVS 103.7FM, a local Muskegon radio station.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel in Midtown

Darrel the Barrel poses with a new mural in Midtown Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at The Fishmonger's Wife

Darrel the Barrel poses at The Fishmonger's Wife in Norton Shores.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Muskegon Heritage Museum

Darrel the Barrel poses for a photo on the main floor of the three-story Muskegon Heritage Museum, 561 W. Western Ave., that highlights the city's industrial past.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Third Coast Vinyl

Darrel the Barrel searches for the right record at Third Coast Vinyl, 1115 Third St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Third Coast Vinyl

Darrel the Barrel searches for the right record at Third Coast Vinyl, 1115 Third St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at The Griffin's Rest

Darrel the Barrel poses with a group at The Griffin's Rest, 1121 Third St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at The Griffin's Rest

Darrel the Barrel plays Scrabble at The Griffin's Rest, 1121 Third St. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Fricano's Place

Darrel the Barrel takes a turn working the pizza oven at Fricano's Place, 1050 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at the Frauenthal Center

Darrel the Barrel prepares for his monologue at the Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.

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Courtesy of the City of Muskegon

Darrel the Barrel at Hackley Public Library

Darrel the Barrel poses in front of a stained glass window at Hackley Public Library, 316 W. Webster Ave. in Muskegon.