The Mesabi Trail is celebrating 30 years of adventures and the full completion of the 165-mile paved trail — and the surrounding communities are invited to celebrate.
The celebration kicks off with a group bike ride at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, hosted by Club Mesabi.
This 30-mile bike ride celebrates the Mesabi Trail’s 30th anniversary, featuring the new section of trail from Tower to Embarrass and back.
Following the ride, stick around for a celebration at Tower Depot Park at 3 p.m., featuring food for purchase and live music.
The main event is the official ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Tower Depot Park at 404 Pine St. in Tower.
The community is invited to hear from public speakers who were instrumental to the development of the trail, as well as enjoy refreshments and light appetizers.
Although the event is located in Tower, the general public is encouraged to attend. In case of inclement weather, the ribbon cutting will take place at the Herb Lamppa Civic Center.
The Mesabi Trail Open House will take place from 8-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the official Mesabi Trail trailhead, Mesabi Station, at 111 Station 44 Road in Eveleth.
Community members can enjoy coffee and pastries while exploring the Mesabi Trail’s official trailhead.
The celebrations will culminate with the Tomassoni Tour from Sept. 17-19. There will be after-ride parties at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, on Lake Street in Chisholm, and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Giant’s Ridge, 6329 Wynne Creek Drive, in Biwabik.
The Mesabi Trail winds from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to Ely, touching 28 communities along the way.
While this is the symbolic opening of the trail’s completion, cyclists, walkers, and inline skaters have enjoyed the trail for 30 years as various sections have opened. It is also a destination for traveling cyclists from across the U.S. and Canada.
One of Minnesota’s best fall cycling destinations, the Mesabi Trail is the longest connected paved trail in the state, and one of the longest paved trails in the country.
Nearly 300,000 individuals enjoy the beauty surrounding the trail each year, making it a well-traveled link between the Mesabi Range communities.
All events are free and open to community members of all ages, including children and families.
The Mesabi Trail is managed by the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority. For more information about any of these events, contact Sarah Ciochetto, deputy director of the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority, at sarah@rrauth. com or 218-744-1388.
Visit mesabitrail.com/ events/30th-anniversary-celebration to RSVP for the group ride.
