In September 2020, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) was announced as the 13th International Dark Sky Sanctuary. “International Dark Sky Places are protected areas and communities around the world certified by DarkSky International to meet strict criteria for protection of the night sky and minimization of light pollution through responsible lighting policies and public education,” explains the DarkSky International website.
In January 2025, a group of Ely business owners and community members came together to promote this designation with a celebration of sorts. The Ely Dark Sky Festival was born, and the positive feedback from the community was immediate.
“It was a super cool event with a really great turnout,” said Eva Sebesta, executive director of the Ely Chamber of Commerce. “It exceeded our expectations. Every single session was full.”
The event celebrated dark night skies with winter recreation, educational indoor sessions about light pollution and astronomy, and outdoor sessions with guides, photographers, and experts. After accommodating a larger crowd than originally expected on such a cold, unpredictable January night, the event coordinators decided to make a few changes for this year’s celebration.
“We decided we would move it to March,” Sebesta said. “The temperatures tend to be a little warmer. I think we’re going to be able to do a lot more events outside this time. The extreme cold last year was very limiting.”
The time change isn’t the only thing making this year’s festival bigger and better. “We have a really great partnership with Starry Skies North, our regional dark sky organization,” Sebesta said. “It’s a collaborative effort here. They are bringing up these impressive telescopes to use during the day.”
Mark Rassel and Les Conrad, two photographers who held seminars last year, will host an outdoor astrophotography guided night hike on Friday night of the weekend. Cloud cover could change the schedule at any time, so attendees are encouraged to follow the Ely Dark Festival Facebook page for updates.
Other activities to expect include winter dog sledding, accompanied by a bonfire, and especially dynamic skies as the spring equinox arrives. “There are so many different pieces of why this area is unique, including the nature and wildlife aspect of things,” Sebesta said. “We will have a wide variety of options to participate in.” Local businesses will also be part of the festivities.
“We are a collaborative working group of about 35 people and organizations that come together to create this event,” Sebesta said. “The International Wolf Center will be out at night, many holistic health care organizations will be here, and the local folk school will offer courses.”
Given the difference in the time of the year, March will likely be well-suited for winter activities. Red-light headlamps will be available to help people see during nighttime events without contributing excessive light pollution. The festival was also expanded by an additional day to include as much as possible in this year’s schedule.
“I am looking forward to the actual dark sky viewing,” Sebesta said. “You look up at the sky all the time and see the stars, but having an expert there who can point out information about certain parts of the sky gives a totally new perspective. I’m really excited about that. If people are from an urban area, they can be surprised at how dark and silent it gets here.”
The Ely Dark Sky Festival will take place March 19-22. The spring equinox occurs March 20. Those interested in attending should follow the Ely Dark Sky Festival Facebook page for the most up-to-date schedule of events and plan to wear layers and warm footwear in preparation for Minnesota’s ever-changing weather.
