ELY – The Christmas season is in full swing here and local organizations are hosting festive events to celebrate the holidays.
Congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce’s “Shine Bright Ely” downtown window decoration winners:
First place went to Pengal’s Basswood Trading for the creative “retro” decorations in their windows. Second place went to Ely Lakes and Pines Realty, in the former J.D. Mills Co. building. Third-place honors went to Grand Ely Lodge. In fourth place was Ely Surplus and Outdoors. Shine Bright Ely runs through December.
The Chamber’s annual Mrs. Claus Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Grand Ely Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be outside welcoming children and families for drive-thru goodie bag pick-up from 1-2 p.m. The traditional indoor event they hoped to have that afternoon is canceled due to COVID-19 public health concerns. Everyone is asked to remain in their vehicles, while helper elves deliver goodie bags to the kiddos.
The Ely Folk School will celebrate the season with a Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Semer’s Park Beach from 2-5 p.m. Participants will be able to socialize at an outdoor bonfire, play Snow Snakes (an Ojibwe winter game) and indulge with homemade pasties and glögg. Free snowshoe rental and dog sled rides will be available, as conditions allow.
Two-dollar raffle tickets will be available at the event for a variety of gift baskets valued at $123. Special thanks to Bent Paddle, Zup’s Market in Ely, Piragis Northwoods Co. and Ely Liquor for helping to sponsor this holiday event.
Todd Crego of Ely Area Television produced a Celebrate the Season holiday and variety show again this year. He developed a televised show last year as the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to live entertainment events.
This year, the event will also be held live at Ely’s Historic State Theater. The Celebrate the Season Holiday Concert will begin at 7 p.m. on two Wednesdays, Dec. 15, and Dec. 22. Tickets are available at www.elystatetheater.org.
The recorded show will be available for viewing on local cable channels 11 and 98 from Dec. 15 through the holiday season.
The hour-plus show features Christmas-related music, singing, dancing, and story-telling from local artists, including Bernie Palcher, Sara Skelton, Barb Cary Hall, Joey Kenig, Lisa Fuglie of Monroe Crossing, Keiko Williams and Kathleen Floberg, the Ely Public Library staff, and a community choir.
This production is partially funded by the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust. This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 
Reflections Dance Co. will present their Winter Showcase 2021 on Sunday, Dec. 12, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Vermilion Community College Fine Arts Theater. Come and see their works-in-progress for the upcoming summer 2022 show, “Math in Motion.”
Pieces include ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and acro. Tickets are $5 at the door, and participants can reserve tickets to be held. Cash or check payable to NLAA.
Email Molly Olson at molson727@gmail.com for more information. Masks will be required for all audience members as per VCC policy.