For your next winter excursion, look no further than Northern Minnesota and the friendly and fun town of Ely in particular. While you won't find beaches and mai tais, the Ely area is the perfect location for fans of winter and all the fun outdoor activities that come with the season. Northern Minnesota during the winter is a scenic and beautiful setting. A blanket of snow covers the sprawling forests adding a stunning layer of depth to an already picturesque landscape. The activities you’ll find here are numerous and include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, dog sledding, snowshoeing and so much more. The residents are friendly, warm, and welcome visitors into their fun and unique community. When it's time to warm up, the area has a multitude of indoor things to enjoy like boutique shops, restaurants offering culinary delights, and art galleries and museums showcasing the rich history of the area. No matter what you choose to do, there are plenty of great lodging options that will keep you toasty and comfortable on the coldest of Minnesota nights. One of the best ways to experience this great city is during one of their festivals, like the extremely popular Ely Winter Festival.
With a history spanning over two decades, the Ely Winter Festival is a 10-day celebration of community and the all the fun associated with winter. Originating as the Voyager Winter Festival that celebrated the rich local heritage, this event embodies the same spirit, but has grown into one of the top winter events you’ll find in the region. There is something for everyone and every age at the event, from the ever popular snow carving symposium and ice fishing competition to the Ely ArtWalk. Stop by the downtown area and take in all the shops, restaurants, and attractions also celebrating the season during this community wide event. Live music and entertainment are scheduled every day during the event and you’ll love the overall atmosphere of this tightly knit community. Make the most out of your next winter vacation and head north to Ely for an experience that you won't soon forget. ResortsandLodges.com got the opportunity to interview Shauna Vega, Representative for the Ely Winter Festival, to talk about the event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
SV: The Ely Winter Festival is a mostly outdoor 10-day festival in northern Minnesota that celebrates everything winter. The feature events are the Snow Sculpting Symposium in Whiteside Park, and the Ely ArtWalk, which turns downtown store windows into an art gallery. The festival started as a weekend event over 20 years ago, and it has grown into a ten-day party full of fun, history, and art.
We don’t charge admission for most of our events, so we don’t know for sure how many people wander through the park to see the sculptures or the art in the downtown windows. Between the live music, the kubb (traditional Swedish game that involves knocking down wooden blocks), broomball and ice fishing tournaments, it is thousands for sure. We see all ages in the park during the snow carving and at events. We draw all types of outdoor enthusiasts and artists.
RAL: Take me through a day at the event.
SV: Start by parking near the park, wandering through the snow sculptures, watching the sculptors at their craft, and asking them questions. You will see families and small groups of friends working on their smaller amateur blocks. Hang out by the firepit to warm up and then check out the outdoor gear demonstrations. Wander downtown with your Ely ArtWalk map, checking out the local artists’ work in storefront windows. You might stop for a Winter Festival Latte at the festival headquarters, Front Porch Tea and Coffee, before heading out to look at more art in windows. The Downtown Art Market on the first Saturday is filled with local artists selling their wares. Sometime during your day, enjoy a lunch at one of our fine local dining establishments. On Saturday night, head over to the Boathouse for the Great Nordic Beard Fest. Take a workshop on jewelry making, see a wooden utensil carving demonstration, go on a guided snowshoe hike to Sigurd Olson’s Listening Point, and then after dinner, have a drink at the Winton Roadhouse Ice Bar.
RAL: What can attendees find for local lodging?
SV: We have lodging options ranging from secluded and quiet B & B’s and resorts, to the Grand Ely Lodge Resort. In addition you’ll find mom and pop hotels and simple bunkhouse lodging designed for groups coming off of canoe trips. The Adventure Inn is our local green lodging option.
RAL: What does this festival mean to the community?
SV: This event is definitely good for the local economy, filling our hotels and restaurants for 10 days, and we love having guests, so make your reservations early! We pack this festival full of all the things we love to do in the middle of our beautiful Minnesota winters. This festival brings together groups from all segments of Ely. College students help set up the park and run the ice fishing contest. The local mini mites (youth hockey players) are doing skating demonstrations and working on our luminaries. The spaghetti feed raises money for an organization the works in the schools. The talent show raises money for our local foundation. The Jaycees put on the broomball tournament, and on and on. There is fun to be had and almost every group you can imagine is involved.
RAL: Why should people come to the festival?
SV: Watching beauty unfold in a medium like snow and being out and about in northern Minnesota in February guarantees a memorable experience. If you are kubb or broomball players, bring your team and spend the weekend, being sure to partake of the other experiences this event offers as well. Come with a sense of adventure, to try new activities, new dining experiences, and a beautiful snow-covered landscape.
For more information about the Ely Winter Festival, please visit their website.