ELY- It takes 10 days for Ely to celebrate the winter season. And with our winter temperatures moderating, and plenty of snow on the ground, it’s looking to be the perfect year for the Ely Winter Festival.

The festival highlights the unique culture, art, history and traditions of the BWCAW area. The main attractions are the snow sculptures in Whiteside Park and the Ely ArtWalk. Events for the whole family include the Historic Voyageur Encampment, crafts fair, concerts, spaghetti dinner and other events celebrating winter.

Purchase a festival pin for $5, available at Whiteside Park or at other participating locations, to gain discounted entry into many festival events, which run from Feb. 6-16 (see schedule at right for more information on events).

Among the activities associated with the festival is the annual Ely ArtWalk, which is free and available throughout the ten days of the festival. A wide range of displays from local artists fill the windows of downtown merchants.  Visit elyartwalk.org for more information and a map.

Other events associated with the festival include:

•ArtWalk Artists’ Get-together: On Saturday, Feb. 8 from 1 p.m.– 3 p.m. at A Taste of Ely, come join the festivities as we celebrate the Ely ArtWalk artists. Meet and greet many of the participating artists as you sip a free cup of coffee or cocoa. Art activities for the children will be available, so bring the whole family! 

•Voyageur Encampment: Feb. 6 – 9. Hearty souls in  authentic garb camp out at Whitewide Park over the long weekend near the snow sculptures. Drop by to say hello, warm up by the fire, and enjoy a free cup of coffee or cocoa.

• Spaghetti Feed: Feb. 7 from 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Annual fundraiser to benefit Ely Community Resources. Downstairs Ely Community Center Adults: $8 at the door Children 6-12: $4.00 Children under 5: Free.

• Opening Ceremonies for Ely Winter Festival, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Washington Auditorium. Winter Festival folks will ‘pass the paddle’ to the new  Grand Marshal(s) of this year’s two week-event, and then Minnesota musician Greg Herriges  will take the stage to entertain the crowds. Embarrass resident and well-known percussionist, Robin Anders, will join Herriges on some selections. Greg Herriges, who can be seen on the web, plays eclectic original and traditional world music on guitar, voice, and bouzouki, a Greek lute, focused on the fusion of Eastern and Western styles. All tickets for the concert will be available at the door for $9. Wear a Winter Festival pin and you get in for just $8.

 • Ely Winter Festival Arts and Crafts Fair. The NLAA will sponsor the Ely Winter Festival Arts and Crafts Fair at the Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. Lots of artists and crafters will be there to show and sell their wares. Free admission with an EWF pin or $1 at the door. 

•VCC Open House— Meet college faculty and staff, tour the campus and on-campus apartments, learn more about Vermilion’s academic programs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.on Feb. 8. Complimentary lunch and live music will be provided! Stop by the registration table for a chance to win a prize! Please register for the open house by completing the Registration Form or by calling the enrollment office at 800-657-3608. www.vcc.edu

 • Valentine’s Play Day—Saturday, Feb. 8 from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. at Legacy Toys. $5 per child aged K-6th grade. (Preschool welcome with an adult.) Come in to Legacy or call (855) 328-8697. Space is limited, so register early.

 •Snow Ball Winterfest Dance—Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door at Amici’s Event Center. Come for cocktails, appetizers, and door prizes. Dance early to big band swing and polka. Stay later for tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Make requests and buy Ely Winter Festival souvenirs! Must be 21. Tickets online at www.amicisevent center.com.

•Writer’s Series—Paul Shurke hosts a presentation probing the mysteries of Shackleton’s “Endurance” Expedition at Vermilion College, Classroom 104 on Feb. 10 from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.  

•Broomball Tournament, sponsored by the Ely Jaycees, will be held at the Ely Recreation Center (1034 Main St.) on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. No experience is necessary for this fun event, and all equipment is provided. Teams consist of six people playing at a time, plus two or more substitutes.  The tournament is double elimination.  All teams will play at least two half-hour games.

Advance registration is already over, but turn out anyway to watch the competiton.

•VCC Ice Fishing Contest— Come to the Sandy Point landing on Shagawa Lake from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 for a fishing contest sponsored by the Vermilion Community College Law Enforcement Club.

Tickets  are $5 and are available at the event or in advance from any VCC Law Enforcement student. The rules allow one line per  ticket, but you must have a fishing license and bring your own bait. No alcohol allowed. Sponsors  reserve the right to search for illegal items including illegally-caught fish and alcohol. Breaking of  rules constitutes immediate removal from tournament. Proceeds go towards Vermilion Community College Seasonal Park Law Enforcement Ranger Training class to offset the costs.  

•Snowshoe to Hegman Pictographs—Saturday, Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Free Outward  Bound guides lead your snowshoe trek to the Hegman Pictographs, the inspiration for the 2012 Ely Winter Festival pin! There is no cost for this event, but it is limited to 30 participants, so visit the festival website for more information  and to reserve your spot or call 828-239-2376.