For many years, Nick Wognum has played a role in organizing the community’s July 4 parade.
But this year, those duties will go on hold - at least as the parade is going on.
Wognum, the publisher of the Ely Echo and longtime community volunteer, has been named Grand Marshal of the 2026 parade, which is set to begin as usual at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
Following recent tradition of recognizing a community volunteer, the Ely Events Group turned to one of its own when selecting a grand marshal for this year’s parade.
“We try get a Grand Marshal each year that is someone who contributes to the betterment of the Ely area,” said Events Group Vice President Rob Wilmunen. “No one we know volunteers more to organizations in the Ely area than Nick.”
Wognum has been involved with numerous groups and organizations during the course of better than 30 years.
In addition to work on city committees, Wognum has co-chaired the Fun Run snowmobile event and led the Prospectors ATV Club, working to secure funds for area trails. He is also on the executive board of ATV Minnesota.
Wognum has been instrumental in the preservation and renovations of Ely’s historic Pioneer Mine site and serves on both the Ely-Winton Historical Society and St. Louis County Historical Society boards. He’s also a former president of the Ely Little League.
“Most of Nick’s volunteer work, for decades, has been to promote Ely and the surrounding area,” said Wilmunen. “We are grateful he also finds time to assist with Ely Events Group – Rock the Park and 4th of July Parade.”
Wognum took the recognition in this year’s parade in stride.
“I was shocked and surprised,” said Wognum. “I wasn’t expecting that at all.”
For the last several years, Wognum has been working behind the scenes in helping to organize Rock the Park, which is held in conjunction with the July 4 weekend, as well as the parade.
On a typical July 4, one will find Wognum aiding other volunteers in organizing and directing the parade. Wognum said the parade is one of his favorite Ely events.
“I just love the response, based on the number of people who come to Ely and watch it,” he said. “I love the family aspect of it, and that it’s an old-fashioned American parade.”
Of the Fourth festivities in town, Wognum said, “I just think Ely does it better. Ely does a fantastic job of involving the community in the parade itself.”
Parade-goers will most likely find Wognum in his side-by-side during the event as Ely marks another July 4 celebration.
“You know it’s the fourth in Ely by the third, when people are putting chairs out the night before to make sure they have a place to watch the parade,” said Wognum.
