ELY— The region’s annual mass migration to the Blueberry/Art Festival will get underway Friday, July 26, at Ely’s Whiteside Park and run through Sunday, July 28. Now in its 39th season, the festival is Ely’s biggest bash of the year, annually drawing 30,000-40,000 people to shop the juried art show and taste the dozens of food options available during the three-day festival.
The event opens on Friday at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Festival participants will find unique, handcrafted items and original works of art from over 260 artists and crafts people.  “We have a collection of some of the best photographers in the area, wonderful pottery, top notch jewelry, oil and water color paintings, exquisite furniture and of course the hot category of repurposed art,” said festival organizer Ellen Cashman. 
The festival also features a wide variety of food and beverage vendors.  There will be 20 food trucks and trailers lining the food court.  “Start your day with fresh, hot-off-the-griddle blueberry pancakes, or a yummy breakfast sandwich and coffee drink,” Cashman said. 
“New this year is authentic Mexican food and Mexican sodas,” Cashman added. “Make sure you save room for blueberry pie, by the slice or by the whole pie.  Hundreds of blueberry pies are baked fresh for the festival and are available from the Kiwanis at the park pavilion.”
The Blueberry/Art Festival features live music in the park bandshell all three days.  On Friday, Timmy Haus will perform from 1-4 p.m.  Saturday performances feature Bill Maxwell and Cowboy Angel Blue, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.  “We top things off on Sunday with Pat and Donna Surface and the Boundary Water Boys, on stage from noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.,” Cashman said. 
There is plenty for the younger folks to do, including bungee jumping, water ball and a bounce house, providing plenty of fun.
The Blueberry/Art Festival is sponsored by the Ely Chamber of Commerce Event and Promotions Committee.  Like them on Facebook and check it out at www.ely.org.
The Ely Chamber of Commerce booth in the middle of the park features vendor maps, and listings of all the blueberry items available by artists in the park including: blueberry soaps and lotions, blueberry paintings and cards, blueberry pottery, blueberry textiles and even blueberry vegan nail polish (new this year).  
“While you are enjoying the festival, stop in at our local retail businesses and restaurants too,” Cashman added.  “We will have a list of businesses carrying blueberry items throughout town.  The list is available at the Chamber festival booth and also at the Chamber office.”

The Timberjay can be found at these local retailers:

Ely
Blomberg's Convenience Store
Lucky Seven Convenience Store
Holiday Station Store
Ely Northland Market
Zup's Market
Voyageur Short Stop/Clark
Grand Ely Lodge
Ely Design Works

Cook
Northwoods True Value Hardware
Lucky Seven Convenience Store
The Country Store

Orr
Patten's Cafe
Pelican Bay Foods

Babbitt
Blomberg's Convenience Store
Zup's Market
Babbitt Short Stop/Clark

Tower-Soudan
The Y Store
Vermilion Fuel and Food
Zup's Market
The Soudan Store