PLEASE NOTE: Your free event news can be posted on the Ely Echo newspaper’s Community Calendar. Send your info to: [email protected].
Heritage Fest 2026 kicks off on Friday, Aug. 14 from 5-8 p.m. at Ely’s Historic State Theater. Four short films about Ely’s history and an art show by famous artist Albin Zaverl will be open to the public. Free admission.
On Saturday, Aug. 15 Heritage Fest 2026 continues with youth activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Mine, across from Grand Ely Lodge. There will be a Kids Museum Scavenger Hunt for ages 4-12 at 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. A Youth Scavenger Hunt for ages 10-18 features cash prizes of $400, $200 and $100 for teams of one to four at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. All ages can take part in a selfie photo booth, arts and crafts projects and a cookie mining game. Admission is free.
Starting at 11 a.m. Heritage Fest 2026 will have a bake sale, food trucks, live entertainment, a walk and talk history tour, a polka party and taste of Slovenia, all at the Pioneer Mine site across from Grand Ely Lodge. Live entertainment includes Steve Solkela from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at the polka party Bernie Palcher at 2 p.m., Fred Godec and Barb at 3:30 p.m. and Roseanne Biondich Omersa from 5-7 p.m. Free admission.
Bring your lawn chair to Whiteside Park on Monday, August 17, at 5 p.m., to hear the Jumpin’ Jehosafats. The JJs play dixieland jazz, spirituals and original tunes, and they are a lot of fun. Ely’s Suzanne Mades (flute) and Elton Brown (tuba) have been part of this Twin Cities-based band for decades. Free-will contributions will support Northern Lights Clubhouse, Well Being Development’s program supporting adults experiencing mental health and other challenges. The band will play in the open-air pavilion (where the audience can sit under cover in case of rain).
Join the Ely Climate Group on Monday, Aug. 17 at 4pm at the Ely Community Center to hear from Megan Wind representing Ely Community Response Team (ECRT) and Bret Pence from Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light talking about creating and running a Resilience Hub. This will be available by zoom, you can find a zoom link on https://elyminnesota. com/elyclimate/ All are welcome.
Two authors giving talks and selling their books in the coming weeks at the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center in Tower. On Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m., Stephanie Hansen, cookbook author & host of Emmy award-winning TV show “Taste Buds with Stephanie,” will be there at 6:30 p.m. She is the author of two True North Cabin Cookbooks. Author Dave Pearsall will be back at St. Mary’s Hall to introduce his newest book,
Immigrants – The Story of America: A Book for Our Time
on Aug. 19 beginning at 7 p.m.
The regular monthly meeting of Ely Chapter FD of P.E.O. International will be Thursday, Aug. 20 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ely with social time at 6:30 p.m. and meeting to follow at 7 p.m. Visiting members are welcome to attend. Call program chairman Kathy Champa at 218220-0969 with any questions.
Ely Watercolor Club had to change the date of the show to Aug. 20-23. The club will again present paintings and greeting cards this summer at Ely’s Miner’s Dry building from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City of Winton 125-Year Anniversary Picnic will be on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 4-7 p.m. at the Winton Community Center. Pulled pork sandwiches, coffee and punch provided. Bring a potluck dish. BYOB
Ely Braver Angels Alliance will be holding its Summer Social on Aug. 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Samz Place.
