It started as part of Ely’s high school all-class reunion, but Heritage Fest now stands on its own as a significant summer event.
This year’s Heritage Fest is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Mine Complex.
It’s a spinoff of sorts of the Heritage Day that was held during the all-class reunion in 2024, but organizers brought it back in 2025 with new twists - including a three-hour polka party in the middle of the event.
About 700 people attended last year and Heritage Fest will continue in 2026, with plenty of ethnic food, beverages, mine tours, new events aimed at kids, and of course polka music and a nod to Ely’s Slovenian roots.
“Basically we felt like there was not enough out there celebrating our heritage and our history of the Iron Range and Ely’s underground mine,” said Mike Tarvin, one of the organizers of Heritage Fest since its inception. “There just isn’t enough out there to celebrate and it has been such a well attended event and so well received we wanted to keep it going.”
Organizers settled on a mid-August date so as not to conflict with other events on Ely’s busy summer calendar, and area residents, those who have moved away and even tourists took in the 2025 event.
Music will be a staple with the Solkela Polkela One Man Band, popular across the region and part of the festivities the last two years, leading things off.
“Steven Solkela’s going to do his one man, overpopulated band, which is a hoot, and then there will be a polka party in the afternoon that goes until 7 p.m.,” said Tarvin.
The polka party includes entertainment provided by Bernie Palcher (2 p.m.), Fred Godec and Barb (3:30 p.m.) and Rosenne Biondich Omersa (5 p.m.).
Ely’s mining heritage is celebrated with a “walk and talk” history tour from 1 to 2 p.m., and of course food is part of the celebration.
Food trucks will set up shop beginning at 11 a.m., with JR’s Beef, Wilderness Wood Fired Pizza, Fun Food Factory, Bobby’s Gyros and Loony Pop beverages all part of the lineup.
There’s also a bake sale offering favorites such as poticas, strudels, Finnish tarts and more.
A full bar will be set up with drinks for purchase, and what’s been billed as “the Taste of Slovenia” is on tap from 2 to 6 p.m.
“That’s one of the things we added,”said Tarvin. “There will be things like sarmas and polish and potica. We’re really looking at our ethnic roots and history.”
New this year are a series of events aimed at children, including a kids’ museum scavenger hunt, a youth scavenger hunt for those age 1018 with teams of 1-4 eligible for prizes as large as $400, and other activities.
“We have a whole bunch of events geared to kids,” said Tarvin. “Whether you’re a tourist with a family or local kids, all are welcome. That seemed to be what was missing the last two years so we want to reach that demographic.”
The festivities actually begin the night before, on Friday Aug. 14, with the Heritage Fest Film Premier Party at Ely’s Historic State Theater.
It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. and will feature four short firms about Ely’s history - all produced by Ely native Doug Luthanen.
The films are titled “Stains of Toil,” “Hematite,” “17 Level,” and “Great Lakes Iron.”
Also part of the event is an art show featuring the work of the late Albin Zaverl.
Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase and admission is free.
Heritage Fest is sponsored by the Ely Arts and Heritage Center, the Slovenian Union of America, Twin Metals Minnesota, Lake Country Power and the Ely Echo.
