The Fourth of July has always been a big deal in northeastern Minnesota, particularly in Ely.
In 1976, America was celebrating its Bicentennial and Ely held an all-class reunion in conjunction with that celebration.
For a six-year-old who rode along the parade route in one of Ely’s fire trucks, the result was one of those memories that indeed lasts a lifetime.
There were people everywhere, it seemed, as crowds were many deep along the parade route, which is somewhat similar today.
And just as it was last weekend as America turned 250, even a half-century ago, Whiteside Park was again a hub for community activity, games, food, beverages, and gathering in the hours after the parade.
On the Iron Range, July 4 or the days leading up to and after have also been synonymous with street dances.
The concept is simple: Close off a few blocks downtown, usually in proximity to local watering holes, and a band (or bands) perform well into the evening for one giant community party.
Ely had an occasional street dance in the 1980s but the concept never really took off here as it did in Eveleth, Gilbert, Chisholm or other area towns.
Word has it that an influential bar owner or two may have had a hand in holding those events back here.
Sentiment seemed to shift a few years back in Ely.
The late Paul Ivancich, one of the most giving and community- minded people Ely has ever seen, often said that the street dance was a tradition this town needed to revive.
The talk even reached the city council table and it was clear that there would be no “Footloose” style interference from the city leaders.
They all but said, “Let them dance.”
From that, and thanks in large part to the formation of the Ely Events Group - Rock the Park was born.
While Ely wouldn’t close down city streets, the community’s midtown gem - Whiteside Park provided a perfect venue.
Ample space, a bandshell, plenty of room for food trucks, beverage tents, lawn chairs, and even room to dance.
The Ely Events Group took on the massive responsibility of coordinating and putting on the event and set the plan in motion with the inaugural Rock the Park in 2022.
Members collectively held their breath and the organization invested both money and time amid this question “If we have it, will they come?”
Indeed they did, and the rest is history.
The first Rock the Park brought hundreds to the park and in 2023 it was estimated that over 1,200 people turned out to see two bands.
The Ely Echo reported at that time that “The audience was an eclectic mix, with adults and teens, Ely area residents and summer visitors, families with young children and a couple of busloads from Ely’s Carefree Living all part of the throng.”
The following year the Events Group doubled down and had back-to-back Rock the Park concerts as part of that year’s Ely High School All-Class Reunion.
In 2025, Rock the Park was held the night after the Fourth but after a heart attack just six days earlier, a walk from home to the park’s perimeter was all that was advisable to take in.
There was nothing holding me back this year, and plans were made to be part of this year’s festivities.
Some first-timers, a dear friend of Hollee and her two college-age girls, joined us and both took in and savored the Ely experience.
Despite the noise and street dance roots, Rock the Park is truly an event for all ages.
During the late afternoon and into the early evening, one could find dozens of young families and kids into the hundreds.
There were bouncy houses, the nearby park playground equipment, and both a sawdust pile and a medallion hunt coordinated by yet another community-minded business owner - the one and only Jim Zupancich. Whether it’s Rock the Park, the July 4 parade or events such as the Fun Run, Peter Mitchell Days or the recent Nisky ATV Ride, he’s there with a prize list that seems to have no end.
Whoever puts together the band lineup and order of appearance at Rock the Park does a fabulous job, as each year it seems to go from more easy-going, toe-tapping fare early in the night to a louder, dance-party version as the skies turn dark.
That seems to be by design and the crowd changes a bit as more families head for home and the crowd gets a tad younger as the night goes on.
But by no means is it only for the youngsters. The audience had its fair share of those in their 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s into the night.
There were fourth-generation Elyites and newcomers. Ely residents and summer cabin owners. Those visiting Ely for the first time and Ely natives back for the Fourth of July weekend.
In some aspects, Rock the Park serves as an impromptu, annual, mini-class reunion.
In many ways, the United States and even Ely are hopelessly divided politically.
But at Whiteside on a July Friday night, pro-mining folks mixed with those ardently in opposition. There were red and blue, maskers and anti-maskers from the Covid days and without a doubt those for and against the Silver Rapids project.
Yet in a first, this was one Ely event where politics seemed to be put aside in favor of a good time for all.
Indeed, the police officers present weren’t really needed as there were no hints of violence or even unruliness.
The music continued until about 11 p.m. or so, and Ely’s firefighters had to have sold beer cans by the thousands. The water station operated by the PTO did brisk business and perhaps the only negative was that the food lines were long and more vendors were needed to accommodate the crowds.
It was a time to connect and reconnect and enjoy, and our stay lasted well past 11, deep in conversation with great friends even after the last band had stopped and the beer tent was coming down.
We turned down a ride downtown and walked the three blocks home instead, enjoying a welcome breeze and a picture-perfect July night in Ely. Heck, there weren’t even any bugs.
It may not be a street dance, but Ely has its own tradition now with Rock the Park.
We’re already looking forward to next year.
