08/18/2025
Thank you from the Organizers of Heritage Fest!
On behalf of the Ely Arts and Heritage Center, we want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone that helped make the Heritage Fest a great success.
We want to thank the following individuals for their hard work: Rick Skube, Chris & Nancy Wood, Nick & Mary Wognum, Jim Beaty, Mary Ann & John Lekatz, Seraphine Rolando, Doug Poppler, Barb Schultz, Chris Bleyl, Ben Bialik, Diana Mavetz Petrich, Curt Hinden, Jim Lah, Nancy McReady, Matt Smrekar, Kelsey Cooke, Ron Hein, Brian and Ann Johnson, Mark Tarvin, Steve Saari, Anne Erzar, Becky Ewinski, Connie Przybylzski Thompson and many other supporters of the Pioneer Mine.
We can’t forget the fabulous bakers, food vendors and the bartenders from Samz. Also, the entertainers including the Solkela Polkela Band, Fred Godec, Dorothy Kunze, Bernie Palcher and Ranger Things all made it a fun event. Thank you WELY radio & Terri Pykla, along with Ron Forsman and Trader Craig for mentioning the event on the air multiple times.
Finally, to all those that helped sell Pioneer Mine raffle tickets, you helped raise $3,850 to support the mine.
Thanks to our sponsors, the Ely Echo and Twin Metals. Important partners include the Ely Winton Historical Society, the Slovenian Union of America chapter 23, and the St. Louis County Historical Society.
Lastly, for those that attended Heritage Fest from all the communities of the Iron Range and Ely, thank you for coming! See you next year!
Mike and Cindy Tarvin, Co-Chairpersons of Heritage Fest.
