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PLEASE NOTE: Your free event news can be posted on the Ely Echo newspaper’s Community Calendar. Send your info to: [email protected].
At the Ely Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a Friends of the Library Booksale at the Ely Senior Center. Take a break from all of those outdoor Winter Festival activities and warm up while you stock up on some reading material. If you buy a book bag for $10, you can fill it with books for free!
On Feb. 7-8, Ely’s Historic State Theater will be the site of Ely’s Great Nordic BeardFest, launched 10 years ago by Shaun Chosa. Friday night is the heavyweight championship, a BeardFest tradition, and Saturday night is the main competition. Tickets are $20 per night, available online or at the door. Competitors should register at www.greatnordicbeardfest. com. There will be live bands both nights.
The Ely Weavers and Fiber Artists Group will meet on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Grand Ely Lodge at 11:30 a.m.
At the Ely Public Library on Monday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. will be the Friends of the Library Bookclub. The book for discussion this month is The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. You do not need to be a member of Friends of the Library to attend.
Join the Ely Winton Historical Society for a Zoom meetand- greet with Bois Forte Anishinaabe and Finnish artist Carl Gawboy and his editor, Rain Newcomb of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. The visual presentation will detail Carl’s process in writing and illustrating his latest book, “Fur Trade Nation: An Ojibwe’s Graphic History.” History Night with Carl Gawboy and Rain Newcomb will be held on Feb. 10 from 5-6 p.m. at MN North-Vermilion Campus Theater.
The Bois Forte Heritage Center and the 1854 Treaty Authority are helping to host the Moccasin Game and Hand Games as led by Terry Goodsky to take part in the Ely Winter Festival. They are being held at the Ely Folk School on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 8-10:30 a.m. Moccasin Games are intended only for men to play but the Hand Games are open to all. Gii comma giizhi dah omah “Let’s have fun here!”
Winter has arrived and the trails are groomed for snowmobiles so we are going to learn about the history of snowmachines and how they changed winter travel and recreation in the Ely area! Join your host, Jess Edberg, upstairs in the Lookout Lounge at the Boathouse Brew Pub on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5-5:30 p.m. for another pint-sized history lesson on your favorite Northwoods community. This October to May monthly program is free and open to all ages.n Stay afterward for a fundraiser to support the Ely PTO.
The Bois Forte Heritage Center and the 1854 Treaty Authority are helping to host Ojibwe Snow Snake Games led by Rick Anderson to take part in the Ely Winter Festival. They are being held at Whiteside Park on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. The game is played by setting up a track in the snow where participants slide large sticks to see whose can go the farthest to win.
At the Ely Public Library on Friday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. will be Board Games for all ages. You can bring your own favorite game or play one at the library. This program is sponsored by Friends of the Library.
Pianist and singer Irene Hartfield will present a concert of love songs for Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14 at the State Theater Lounge. During intermission, there will be chocolates for you to enjoy. Come at 4:30 p.m. for a social time with refreshments available from the theater concession stand with music starting at 5:05. Free will contribution benefits Irene, the theater and the Ely Winter Festival. Concert ends at 6:30 p.m.
There will be a Community Kitchen on Feb. 15 at LedgeRock Community Church, 1515 E. Camp Street. These are held on the Saturday of the month, 5-6:30 p.m. Come anytime during those hours. There is no cost for the meal.
The WolfTrack Classic dog sled race event will start with the WolfTrack Prance on Friday, Feb. 21, 4-7 p.m. at the Grand Ely Lodge. A special Prance menu from 4-6 p.m.
