ELY – As the days grow shorter and Christmas grows near, Ely-area residents are determined to find ways to celebrate the season despite shutdowns and cancellations due to COVID-19.
A Christmas decorating contest, outdoor holiday party, re-formatted Mrs. Claus Party, virtual musical holiday concert and other events are planned for a COVID Christmas in Ely.
This year’s Shine Bright Ely Contest, sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, brought out the Christmas spirit as many area businesses decorated for Christmas all over the community. Winners were announced this week.
“This event is being held this year with the idea that we want to shine bright here in Ely in these times of darkness,” said Ellen Cashman, Chamber events coordinator. “We want everyone to instill the holiday spirit and light up our town.”
The winners of the Shine Bright Contest are: first place, Mealey’s Gift and Sauna; second place, Pengals Basswood Trading Co.; third place, the Boathouse Brew Pub and Restaurant; and fourth place, Northern Grounds.
“Judging this proved very difficult,” Cashman said. “Everyone did such a great job and they all deserve to win.”
“There are also many residents who took it upon themselves to put up some extra decorations this year to share the Christmas spirit,” Cashman said. “The Ely Chamber of Commerce thanks all the participating businesses for helping make the community Shine Bright, and don’t forget to shop local for everyone on your Christmas list.  We also thank the many residents who have their homes lit up for the holidays.  We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.”
Virtual Christmas Concert on T.V.
This week, Todd Crego, of Ely Area Television, is putting the final touches on a virtual Christmas concert that will air on the local public access television channels next week and run through the holiday season.
“I am putting together a volunteer socially-distant Christmas concert for the community,” he said Monday as he prepared a recording session at the Cyko Arts studio in the NAPA Building. “It is something I can do to try and bring some joy and cheer for this year when we can’t all be together.”
Crego said the show will be about an hour in length and will feature traditional and modern renditions of Christmas music. He plans to have it ready next week to air on local cable channels 11 and 98.
“It’s a small show where performers are being scheduled to be recorded or some are sending in a recording,” he said. “I reached out to many in-town musicians, and Billie Rouse, with her contacts through the Boundary Waters Choral Festival, also provided for recordings from Mathew Olsen, Monroe Crossing, and Carrie Newcomer.”
The show will also feature local talent, including Barb Cary Hall, Bernie Palcher, Hannah Littler, Tom Just, and the Accidental Ensemble.
Mrs. Claus Party
In past years, the Mrs. Claus Party was held indoors with loads of activities and youth in one central location.  To minimize the possible spread of COVID-19, the event is taking on a new format on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Ely Chamber of Commerce parking lot. 
Event planners are asking youth and adults to drive in on the 16th Avenue side (Subway side) of the lot.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will be positioned outside the Chamber building to wave and share holiday greetings. 
As visitors remain in their vehicles, helper elves will deliver goody bags, contact-free, to each youth in the vehicle.  This year’s goody bags will include holiday craft kits along with small gifts and candy.
“The Ely Chamber of Commerce is deeply grateful to Santa and Mrs. Claus for taking time out of their very busy schedule to visit our many Ely area youth,” Cashman said.  “Thank you to the many businesses that have donated candy, gifts, and craft kits.”
Ely Folk School hosting Zoom cooking classes
Many area holiday events are canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, including the folk school’s outdoor holiday party.
Instead the folk school is sponsoring two free online cooking classes on Dec. 11 and 12 with Lacey Squier. Seats were filling up quickly, so check www.elyfolkschool.org to see if there are any available spots to learn how to make pasties and mulled wine.
The folk school is also putting together a class lineup for the Ely Winterfest, Feb. 4-14.
“In these challenging times, ‘resilience’ has been our catchword,” Ely Folk School Program Coordinated Betty Firth added. “We’re pleased with the generous community response to our fall fundraising campaign and the interest in our classes.”
Reservations for Christmas Masses
As St. Anthony Catholic Church plans their Christmas Mass schedule, keeping in mind the COVID-19 precautions, they ask that families call the parish office at 218-365-4017 to let staff know which Mass and how many will be attending for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. St. Anthony will offer a 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve and a 10 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day.
Radio show, dance showcase called off
The Northern Lakes Arts Association planned to produce “It’s A Wonderful Life... A Live Radio Show,” but the event was canceled because of COVID-19. Live performances were set for last weekend and online streaming of the performances were also planned for the holiday season.
“We are so disappointed that we had to suspend this wonderful holiday celebration,” said Sara Skelton, NLAA board member. “In similar fashion, the Winter Dance Showcase scheduled for Saturday at the Ely State Theater was called off due to the new coronavirus public health restrictions.
USFS Christmas tree permits
The Superior National Forest has an unlimited supply of Christmas trees, and permits are available to purchase online.
This year the Forest Service decided to move permit sales to Recreation.gov as an added convenience for visitors, and to provide an alternative to in-person transactions at offices that may remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details about designated cutting areas, dates and types of trees that may be cut can be found at www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/superior.
To purchase a Christmas tree permit, visit the website and search for Superior National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. Website visitors will also need to set up or login to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction.