ELY- For the third time in its 16-year history, the WolfTrack Classic has been canceled for lack of sufficient snow. The Ely Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the race, announced the cancellation after reviewing trail conditions. The race was scheduled to be run on Sunday, Feb. 25, but this week’s near record-warm conditions and little snow in the extended forecast offered little hope for augmenting the region’s minimal snow cover for this time of year.
Some events still on
Despite the cancellation, folks in Ely still plan to have some fun over race weekend. In place of the annual awards dinner for the race, the race organizers will hold a new “family-friendly” event called the WolfTrack Prance, from noon-3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Grand Ely Lodge. “In the future, we hope to turn this into a Friday night welcoming event for the race,’ said chamber director Eva Sebesta.
The event this year will feature door prizes and polka music played by Bernie Palcher and his accordion. The event is free though attendees will be responsible for the purchase of their own food and drinks. Food service will be from noon-1:30 p.m. followed by music and dancing from 1:30-3 p.m.
Space at the WolfTrack Prance is limited to 50 attendees and requires an RSVP. Call the chamber at 218-365-6123 to reserve space. The event was announced on Feb. 1 and by Monday afternoon, Feb. 5, the event was already more than half full—so reserve your space soon since Sebesta expects all the available seats to fill.
Beer tasting this weekend
The WolfTrack Classic-Earth Rider Brewery beer tasting will still take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 3-6 p.m. This yearly event is hosted at Mike’s Liquors at 401 E. Sheridan St. Mike from Earth Rider will have a variety of the brewery’s seasonal and staple beers. The WolfTrack Classic crew will also be on hand to sell race merchandise featuring the new WolfTrack logo.
“Just because the race is canceled, it does not mean Ely is closed and winter is gone,” said chamber director and race coordinator, Eva Sebesta, in a statement.  “One thing Ely is well known for is an abundance of outdoor activities and visitors can still enjoy all of those options.”