Mrs. Claus Party has new look

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Ely as scheduled on Saturday, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a change in their plans.
Instead of gathering indoors, they’ll be outside as part of the new-look Santa and Mrs. Claus Party put on by the Ely Chamber of Commerce.
The event will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot at the Chamber headquarters, located on the east end of town.
Due to health concerns and efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, organizers have put together a new format for the annual event.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be positioned outside the Chamber building to wave and share holiday greetings, but event participants are asked to remain in their vehicles.
Event planners are asking youth and adults to drive in on the 16th Avenue (Subway side) of the Chamber lot, and they will be able to view Santa and Mrs. Clause extending their greetings.
Helper elves will deliver (contact-free) goody bags to each youth in the vehicle.
This year’s goody bags will include holiday craft kits along with small gifts and candy.
The Ely Chamber of Commerce is deeply grateful to Santa and Mrs. Claus for taking time out of their very busy schedule to visit our many Ely area youth.
Numerous local businesses have also donated candy, gifts, and craft kits for the party.
The party is just the latest local event to be altered or cancelled because of the pandemic and various gathering restrictions.
Both the Chamber’s Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony, typically held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, were scrapped this year.
Events including the Blueberry/Art and Harvest Moon festivals, Ely Marathon and the Jake Forsman Memorial Car Show and Burnout Competition were all cancelled because of the pandemic.