Download Northern Wild’s January 2020Â colorful monthly event calendar here!
See below for a selection of upcoming events.
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January 2020
Northland 300
The Northland 300 is a 300-mile, three-day charity snowmobile ride, made up of volunteer participants who raise funds to support Special Olympics Minnesota. Held in Ely, this year marks the 32nd anniversary ride. A drawing will be held for 10 raffle prizes on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 9:30 p.m. at the Grand Ely Lodge. Prizes include $500 gift cards, a $1,000 Amazon gift card, and $5,000 cash. The Northland 300 is never cancelled and 100 percent of all funds raised…
Find out more »Lake Superior Ice Festival
The Lake Superior Ice Festival, held on Barker’s Island in Superior, Wisc., features fun activities for the entire family. There’s ice carving demos and sculptures, MIRA racing next to the SS Meteor Whaleback, stock car racing on ice, a local arts and crafts fair, bonfires and s’mores, a snow slide, a kubb tournament, disc golf, an amateur hockey tournament, and more. Visit the Kid’s Zone for craft activity tables, button making, a photo booth, and a scavenger hunt. You can…
Find out more »John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Established in 1980, the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. It’s also a qualifier for the famed Iditarod in Alaska. There are four races for mushers of all experience levels to enter: the full distance marathon, the Beargrease 120, the Beargrease 40, and the Beargrease 120 Junior Class. The races start on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Billy’s Bar in Duluth. Other Beargrease events include the KQDS mini sled dog races…
Find out more »Boulder Night Ski & Snowshoe
Break out your Hawaiian shirt and enjoy an evening of tiki-lit skiing and snowshoeing through the woods at Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center in Duluth. There will be a small groomed loop on the lake for kids and beginner skiers, along with games and races. Enjoy a bonfire near the lodge, as well as drinks, snacks, and soup/chili. Continental Ski & Bike will have free skis for people to check out prior to the event, or you can pick up…
Find out more »Ridge Riders Drag Race
Jan. 25, Saturday Join the annual Drag Races on Devil Track Lake, held by the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club. Signup starts at 11 a.m. and racing starts at noon. Classes include 600cc, 700cc, 800cc, and Open. Prizes will be awarded inside Skyport Lodge after the races. There will also be live music and food and beverage specials all day. Then, mark your calendars for the annual Snowmobile Fun Run on the Gunflint Trail, held Saturday, Feb. 1. Also coming…
Find out more »Robert Burns Dinner
The traditional birthday celebration of Scottish poet Robert Burns falls on Jan. 25 this year, which is Burns’ actual birthdate. Located at the Wunderbar in Grand Marais, the evening starts with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. with live music and a cash bar. Musicians will be featuring Scottish fiddle tunes. Special guests Rory Bain from Thunder Bay returns as piper and his wife and daughter will be highland dancing. A full-course dinner begins at 8 p.m. with the piping…
Find out more »Winter Plein Air Retreat & Exhibit
The Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) will gather at YMCA Camp Menogyn up the Gunflint Trail for the annual Winter Plein Air painting retreat., where artists will paint the winter wonderland of the Northern Wilds. Cost to participate is $285 per person, which includes all meals and lodging for five nights. After the retreat, the public is invited to a special Plein Air exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais. An opening reception will be held Friday, Jan.…
Find out more »Northern Delights
Northern Delights is Thunder Bay’s fall and winter culinary festival. Established in 2015 by local restauranteurs, this event is now in its fifth year and is being led by Tourism Thunder Bay. It offers the perfect opportunity for patrons to discover delicious cuisine and celebrate the local restaurant and food scene. During the two-week festival, participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus, some using local ingredients, at $25 or $35. A list of participating restaurants can be found online.
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