Events

SNOWARAMA

Jan. 23-Feb. 28 Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, there will be no in-person Snowarama events this year. But don’t worry; Easter Seals Ontario will host Snowarama virtually this winter. This means snowmobilers can still get out and enjoy the trails while connecting with the Snowarama community and supporting Easter Seals kids. Officially, Snowarama is held Jan. 23 to Feb. 28. However, this year’s event is a ride anytime/anywhere format. All you need to do is register online, start fundraising, and then go out and ride whenever it’s convenient for you. Anyone who raises a minimum of $100 will receive a toque and glove set courtesy of Fast Eddie Racewear. This year, all Snowarama locations are working together towards a combined goal of raising $100,000. This funding will help to provide Easter Seals kids with the essential equipment they urgently need to live with dignity, safety and greater freedom in their own home. To learn more or register, visit: snowarama.org.

FIBER FEBRUARY

Feb. 1-28 The North House Folk School in Grand Marais is celebrating the warmth and wonder of fiber crafts all month long. There will be an array of online coursework, as well as online webinars, Lunch and Learns, and a knit along with dappled fern fibers, offering something for everyone. Free webinars include Swedish weaving with Arianna Funk, family ties and textile history with LaChaun Moore, and a wool webinar with Linda Johnson Morke. There will also be an online Fiber February Show and Share, allowing you to show off your new creations and celebrate all things fiber. To view course offerings or register, visit: northhouse.org.

ELY WINTER FESTIVAL & ARTWALK

Feb. 4-14 The Ely Winter Festival will have a very different look and feel this year. Due to the pandemic, the Snow Sculpting Symposium will be scaled back, although the Ely ArtWalk will look the same as before. To enhance everyone’s ability to experience and enjoy the festival, a virtual experience will be added. This will allow in-town and out-of-town friends an opportunity to enjoy the festival from home. Virtual experiences include daily snow sculpting symposium progress videos and a virtual walk through Whiteside Park after the sculptures are completed. You will also be able to watch daily Ely ArtWalk videos featuring different artists each day. Unfortunately, there will be no skating rink, Kubb tournament, beard fest, literary gatherings, hikes to Sigurd Olson’s cabin, or sled dog meet and greets. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, nature photography, observing the night sky, and numerous art classes will be offered by the Ely Folk School, either by Zoom or outdoors. Other traditional events will be offered, including the Vermilion Community College’s Law Enforcement program’s ice fishing contest and a virtual fundraiser for the Dorothy Molter Museum. For more information and a schedule of events, visit: elywinterfestival.com. Enjoy life’s simple pleasures during the annual Hygge Festival in Cook County, held Feb. 5-14. | VISIT COOK COUNTY

of embracing life’s simple pleasures; feeling relaxed, cozy and surrounded by the warmth of family, friends and community. This year’s Hygge Festival in Cook County includes a specially curated Hygge-themed menu available at Blue Water Café, and the annual Fiber February festival at the North House Folk School. You can also participate in mellow snowshoe hikes with Lake Superior Trading Post. Pre-registration is suggested for those needing to borrow snowshoes (limited supply) and a $5 suggested donation will benefit the Cook County Food Shelf; event will be socially distanced. Unfortunately, there will be no fireplace tour this year. To learn more, visit: visitcookcounty.com/hygge.

SWEETHEARTS’ FUN FOR ‘21

Feb. 5-17 Spring is just around the corner and soon everyone will be looking forward to summer-time activities. As you think about fun in the North Country, the Gunflint Trail Historical Society is offering an online fundraising auction event, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The selection of distinct items will capture your fancy, tempt your taste buds, add to your cache of Trail treasures, and perhaps offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The auction will begin online Friday, Feb. 5 and continue through Wednesday, Feb. 17. Auction items include a guided moose calling adventure, an artist painting by Barb Tuttle, an ice fishing excursion with guide Mike Berg, a historic picnic tour on Saganaga Lake, weekly baked goodies for a month, a pontoon/walking cabin tour on Hungry Jack Lake, and more. To learn more, visit: bit.ly/gthsfundraiser.

COLD FRONT FEBRUARY

Feb. 6-12 Celebrate winter with the annual Cold Front February festival in Duluth. While things will look a bit different this year, there will still be various family-friendly activities offered, encouraging everyone to get outside and embrace the spirit of the outdoors during the winter months. Activities include dog sledding with Silver Creek Sled Dogs, a citywide snow-building extravaganza, a winter wonderland equipment pop-up at Enger Park Golf Course, a liminary candle-lit walk along the Lakewalk between Canal Park and Fitger’s, a yeti hunt, a BAE-front Valentine’s skate, and more. A new program this year is Agents of Discovery, a free educational app for your smart device that will bring GPS-based adventures to local parks all year long. Staff will be on hand from 1-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 to help get your started as you try your first detective ‘mission’ around Bayfront Park. Activities within the app are designed for families with youth ages 6-14. For a full list of events, visit: coldfrontduluth.com.

PINCUSHION VIRTUAL RACE/TOUR

Feb. 8-15 The annual Pincushion Mountain ski race, located near Grand Marais, will be held under a new format this year. For everyone’s health and safety, the race organizers have modified the event to a week-long, self-timed format. The Pincushion Virtual Race/Tour opens Monday, Feb. 8 and continues through Monday, Feb. 15. Participating skiers can go to the Pincushion Chalet, start their stopwatch or timing app, and follow the signs along a marked 10-kilometer racecourse. For skiers who use the Strava app, the race course is set up as a segment on Strava, “2021 Pincushion 10k,” starting at the Trailhead sign in the stadium. Skiers can choose freestyle or classic technique, or both. Individuals’ timed results can be emailed to pincushiontrails@gmail.com. Race results will be posted daily. No registration fee is required, but the race organizers suggest a $20 donation for those racing one technique, or a $35 donation for those racing both. Donations can be made by visiting pincushiontrails.org.

WOLFTRACK CLASSIC SLED DOG RACE

Feb. 21, Sunday The annual WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race in Ely will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. Unfortunately, there will be no spectators allowed at the vet checks or the start-finish line. However, faithful followers will be able to monitor the race virtually. The WolfTrack Classic consists of two mid-distance races: a 30-mile 6-dog and 50-mile 8-dog competition. To learn more or follow the races, visit: wolftrackclassic.com.