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Cool but dry weather was in the forecast as a major Ely event got underway. The 30th Harvest Moon Festival began Friday at Whiteside Park and runs through the weekend.
While nowhere near as large as the July Blueberry/Art Festival, the Harvest Moon brings about 100 vendors to Whiteside Park.
Most are returning vendors, but Ely Chamber of Commerce officials said that 20 new food, arts and craft vendors are among those setting up shop, including some who were at the Blueberry/Art Vendors selling jewelry, leather works and knives are among those new to the festival, and those sampling cuisine for the three-day event have some new options at the popular food court on the west side of the park.
Those that come will also see the Forging Community doing live demonstrations of blacksmithing.
Also for the second consecutive year, fans of the Harvest Moon can vote to give it national acclaim.
The Ely event is up against top fall events from other parts of the country in a survey being conducted by USA Today.
Voting continues as USA Today looks for online votes to narrow a list of 20 fall festivals down to 10 in its “Best Fall Festival” poll.
As of last week Ely was rated 14th overall but the survey continues through the Harvest Moon and Chamber officials hope that visitors log on to show support.
“There will be QR codes at the entrances of the park for people to scan and vote for the Harvest Moon,” said Kristen Switajewski, event coordinator for the Ely Chamber of Commerce.
Fans can log in to any of the Ely Chamber Facebook pages including The Ely Chamber of Commerce, Harvest Moon Festival, Blueberry Art Festival and Ely MN Events, to find the link to vote. Voting continues through Monday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced the following week. Festival hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Friday, and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Sunday.
