The Blueberry/Art Festival, Ely’s signature summer event, features more than 260 artists and crafters, 30 food vendors and local musicians. The Ely Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event, which celebrated its 35th year in 2015. It draws some 40,000 people over a three day period to enjoy fine art, quality crafts and great ethnic food.

The festival is held in Ely’s beautiful Whiteside Park where you can find wood and leather products, metal art, photography, paintings, jewelry and pottery, and many other unique hand-crafted items. Start your morning with a Blueberry pancake breakfast. While you are shopping for that special one of a kind original piece of art you may want to take a break and listen to one of the musical acts that are scheduled everyday. There are activities for the children as well like the bungie jump and other amusements. Make sure you visit the food court with all kinds of tempting food everything from cream cheese wontons and seafood to Minneapple Pie. There of course are fresh blueberry pies by the slice with ice cream or a whole pie. This is a fun event for the whole family.