Harvest Moon among USA Today’s top-20 best fall festivals

ELY— It’s been 30 years since the founding of Ely’s Harvest Moon Festival and the early autumn event has recently been getting some of the recognition it deserves. For the second year in a row, the Harvest Moon Festival is one of the top 20 finalists for this year’s USA Today ten-best fall festivals list.
Voting for the top-ten- best fall festivals runs through Monday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. Cast your vote at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-fall-festival-2024 or use the QR code on the signs posted throughout Whiteside Park during this weekend’s festival.
“The public can help by scanning the QR codes around the park and voting,” said Kristen Switajewski, festival coordinator. “In addition, we have an option for the public to select their favorite food vendor using QR code voting. Food vendor voting closes on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m., and awards are announced on Sunday morning.”
This year’s festival hours are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 – 7, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Whiteside Park. Maps for the layout of vendors and food trucks is printed on 1B of this week’s paper and will be posted on the ely.org website.
The 2024 Harvest Moon Festival features many long-time favorites, including Burly Babe, Smokey Photo, Waters Edge Art, and Leather Eagle Customs. Some new vendors are Anja Parenteau Pottery, White Pine Artworks, B Friendly, and Rabuck Handmade Knives & Leather. These are just a few of the new and returning vendors. Plan to spend the day and visit them all.
The food court features Curbside Crepes, Becky’s Oriental, SB Concessions, and many other favorites. It has delicious offerings, including two new area trucks: Rose Cottage Baking Co. from Cook, with its wonderful baked goods, and Grilled Cheese Galore from Gilbert, with amazing grilled cheese everyone will love.
Of course, the Kiwanis are in the park pavilion, dishing out delicious pie, coffee, ice cream, and other treats.
In addition to the vendors in Whiteside Park, “Shop Harvest Days” for Ely’s storefront businesses starts on Thursday, Sept. 5, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 8. It begins a day ahead of the festival, so visiting vendors at the park can have time to shop, and features featured products, sales, and special events.
The Ely Chamber of Commerce will have a map at ely.org/events on the Harvest Moon Festival page.