Events

The annual Smelt Parade and Party in Duluth will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. | SUBMITTED

GROWING TOWARDS THE LIGHT

April 29-May 22 Visit the Johnson Heritage Post (JHP) in Grand Marais for the 13 th annual art show sponsored by the Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church. This year’s show theme is “Growing Toward the Light” and features two- and three-dimensional works of art by artists of all ages. An opening reception will be held Friday, April 29 from 5-7 p.m. and the show will remain on display until May 22. An artist’s talk will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 6 with Michelle Wingard speaking about the intersections between creativity and spirituality. Wingard is an installation-based photographer, curator and arts educator residing in Minneapolis. She will also conduct a hands-on intergenerational art project workshop for the public at JHP on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. cookcountyhistory.org

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL

May 1-8 The Homegrown Music Festival is an annual community celebration of the original and diverse music of Duluth and its surrounding communities. What started in 1999 with 10 acts has matured to an eightday community-wide local music, arts and cultural extravaganza. The festival kicks off on Sunday, May 1 with live music and fun activities at various locations, including a free children’s music showcase at the Duluth Public Library from noon to 2 p.m. and at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Performers include Dan the Monkey Man, Woodblind, Brian Barber, Beats by Girlz, Jeremy Lepak and Steve’s Overpopulated One-man Band. More information can be found online. facebook.com/ duluthhomegrown

WORLD ACCORDION FESTIVAL

May 6-8 Harrington ARTS Center (HARTS) and A World of Accordions (AWAM) will be hosting a live-music accordion festival at 1401 Belknap St. in Superior. Music and lectures will be ongoing from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. with refreshments available from May 6-7, and a polka service will be held on Sunday, May 8. AWAM’s large concert hall allows for 6-foot seating distances if needed. Tickets can be ordered or paid at the door and the Sunday Polka Service is free. Many of the performances will also be live streamed on AWAM’s Facebook and YouTube channels. worldofaccordions.org

MFRC’S SPRING YARD & CRAFT SALE

May 7, Saturday Visit Thunder Bay, the land of the Sleeping Giant, to attend the biggest yard and craft sale—the Thunder Bay Military Family Resource Centre Spring Yard and Craft Sale. It will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at HMCS Griffon, 125 N. Algoma Street. There will be many tables to shop through with various items available. Admission is $2 and all the proceeds will go to programs and services for military families in Thunder Bay. For more information, contact: info@thunderbaymfrc. ca or call 807-345-5116.

SMELT PARADE & PARTY

May 8, Sunday After a two-year covid shutdown, the Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe will hold their annual Smelt Parade and Party on Sunday, May 8 in Duluth. This free, family-friendly event begins at 3:30 p.m. with the presentation of the Smelt Queen at the grassy plaza at the Aerial Lift Bridge (behind the Maritime Visitor’s Center), followed by a second line parade on the Lakewalk. The parade will include a stilt walking Royal Guard, an energetic school of silver smelt puppet and mask dancers, a musical procession featuring a delegation from the Kingdom of Smelt, and music by the Brass Messengers. Participants and spectators are encouraged to wear silver. After the parade, head to Zeitgeist Arts Café for a smelt fry and party at 5 p.m. magicsmelt.com

FIRE FIGHTERS TEN MILE ROAD RACE

May 12-24 The Fire Fighters Ten Mile Road Race has been a Thunder Bay tradition since 1910, promoting an active, healthy lifestyle for runners of all skill levels. This year’s race will again be held virtually. Similar to last year’s virtual event, runners can select and complete a 10-mile route of their choosing during the designated running period of May 12-24. There is no time limit to complete your 10-mile distance, provided it is completed all “in-one-go.” Those interested in participating can register online. 10mileroadrace.org

Ellie Eskuri and Mary Waller on the Yellow Birch Trail at NSTT’s last event at Crosby-Manitou State Park. | SUBMITTED

NSTT FIRST WALKS

May 14-15 The NorthStar Trail Travelers will kick off their walking season with two first walk events on the North Shore. The first walk takes place on Saturday, May 14 at Crosby-Manitou State Park in Finland between 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There are three different trail options totaling 11km, including an easy 2km trail or a harder 7km trail. There will also be brats, hotdogs and more available for donation. After the walk, the club will host its popular hobo soup supper. Bring along something to add to the pot, as well as a side dish to share and your own beverage. Then, on Sunday, May 15, register for a walk between 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Temperance River State Park in Schroeder. There are two trail options, totaling 10 km; a harder 4km trail or an easier 6km trail. Again, lunch will be available with a donation. Registration is required to participate (register on-site) and fees for each walk are between $2 to $8. nstt.org

COOK COUNTY YMCA PRESENTS: DIVA

May 19-21 Over 70 dancers of all ages will perform in the 6th annual Cook County YMCA dance performance, titled Diva and featuring songs of empowerment and strength. The recital features ballet, tap and jazz dances, choreographed by Christine Curtis, Breana Johnson and Lenna Stever. The recital will be held at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Thursday) at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $7 for youth. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door. tix.com

See over 70 dancers of all ages perform in the 6th annual Cook County YMCA dance performance, held May 19-21. | JENNY GILBERTSON

SUPERIOR SPRING TRAIL RACES

May 21, Saturday Located in Lutsen, the Superior Spring Trail Races traverse the Sawtooth Mountain Range on the Superior Hiking Trail. Runners will face extremely hilly, rugged terrain, crossing rivers and streams through the Boreal forests. Courses include a 12.5km at 9 a.m., a 25km at 8 a.m. and a 50km at 7 a.m. The 25km and 50km start and finish at Caribou Highlands Lodge and the 12.5k is a point-to-point race, finishing at Caribou Highlands Lodge. Aid stations are provided for the 25km and 50km and spectators are welcome for all three races. Registration is required to race. superiorspringtrailrace.com

The Superior Spring Trail Races in Lutsen will take place on Saturday, May 21 this year. | CARY JOHNSON

DULUTH DYLAN FEST

May 21-29 Head to Duluth to celebrate Minnesota’s native son Bob Dylan. This year’s Duluth Dylan Fest will kick off on Saturday, May 21 with a party at The Rex at Fitger’s at 7 p.m., featuring music by Cowboy Angel Blue. Other festival activities throughout the week include a Bob Dylan trivia night, lots of live music, a singer-songwriter contest, an acoustic jam session, a tour of Bob Dylan sites, and a lecture by Peter K. McKenzie, author of Bob Dylan: On a Couch and Fifty Cents a Day. More information can be found online. duluthdylanfest.com

LE GRAND DU NORD

May 28, Saturday Up to 700 gravel grinders will take to unpaved routes on fat-tire bikes, starting from Hwy 61 in Grand Marais. Held by Heck of the North Productions, the Le Grand Du Nord offers three events for cyclists: a 110-mile, 54-mile and 26- mile route. With more than 5,500 feet of climbing and a decidedly remote feel, the 110-mile course is beautifully challenging. The 54-mile course has plenty of climbing and miles of forested roads. The 26-mile “marathon” route is a Le Grand-worthy introduction to gravel cycling with its mix of paved and gravel roads, climbing, and great Lake Superior views. The first wave starts at 8 a.m. and spectators are welcome—watch the start and finish of the race across the street from Voyageur Brewing. Race registration required. heckofthenorth.com

Up to 700 racers will take part in this year’s Le Grand Du Nord, held Saturday, May 28. | CLINT AUSTIN

WALLEYE INDUCTION CELEBRATION

May 29, Sunday Visit the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center on the Gunflint Trail for a special induction of a near-record walleye caught by Bob Bruininks on Loon Lake. The celebration will be held at the Chik-Wauk watercraft building from 4-6 p.m. and it will include a raffle of a wire walleye sculpture by artist Bud Bullivant. Bob Bruininks will also be there to tell his story. Enjoy an evening of fish pictures and big fish stories. gunflinthistory.org

NORTHERN LANDSCAPES FESTIVAL

June 3-5 Learn about the birds, wildflowers, insects and geology of the northern landscape at this annual North House Folk School festival in Grand Marais. This year, Jonathan C. Slaght will hold a presentation titled “Owls of the Eastern Ice: Blakiston’s Fish Owl Conservation in Russia” on Saturday, June 4 at 7 p.m. Other festival highlights include more than a dozen field-focused courses, including birding by ear, beekeeping basics, northwoods nature through the lens, central North Shore’s geologic story, lichens: pioneers of the northwoods, and more. Course registration required. northhouse.org