Portage is one of the many bands playing over the 4th of July weekend. They'll play at the Hovland Arts Festival on Sunday.
July 4th celebrations will be happening all over the county this weekend, with parades, fun events and fireworks in Tofte and Grand Marais and a fantastic fireworks display at Grand Portage.
Another fun event is the Hovland Arts Festival, which is held in Hovland on Saturday and Sunday and a Garden Tea Party at Last Chance Gallery on Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
Now in its 4th year, the Hovland Arts Festival is must-see. It’s exclusive to Hovland residents, which is a special treat — there’s lots of talent on that end of the county. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with great music and lots of arts and crafts booths.
Singer/songwriter Michael Monroe is first up on Saturday, playing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then, Wild Mountain Thyme plays followed by Chicago Bay. On Sunday, an Open Circle Jam of Old Time Gospel/Bluegrass Music will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then Jim and Mary Schliep will play. The Portage Band finishes off the day.
Bruce Updyke will have this diamond willow bowl at the festival. Artists and artisans will feature everything from watercolors to jewelry, photography to handmade baskets, to name a few.
The Arts Festival is held at the Hovland Town Hall, but other venues participate as well. Trinity Lutheran Church, which is right next door, runs a food booth on Saturday with “to-die-for” locally-caught Lake Superior herring-on-a-bun as well as a special worship service on Sunday monring at 8:30 a.m. featuring the music of Bill Beckstrand, Philis Anderson and Kim Carlsted Gillis.
Also, just down the road, the Chicago Bay Market Place and Runningen Furs are part of the festival mix. Shannon Crossbear will park her Gypsy Wagon at Runningen’s at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for an hour of storytelling.
There are lots of wonderful work by Hovland artists, too. Check out their work here.
The 4th starts out in Tofte at 7:45 a.m. as runners and walkers participating in the 30th annual Tofte Trek gather at the Birch Grove Community Center and get ready for the 10K (hopefully muddy) course up to the Superior Hiking Trail and back again. Kids get to compete, too, with races starting at 9 p.m. Then it’s over to the Tofte Town Park for music (Bump Blomberg), games and lots of great food. The parade is at 1 p.m., fireworks at dusk.
In Grand Marais, the annual Timber Days celebration will be held all day with a variety of activities for family and friends. The Farm & Craft Market is open Saturday and Sunday in the parking lot of the Senior Center this weekend, too.
There are two exhibits worth a look as well. The Northwoods Fiber Guild has a wonderful exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery, and the Grand Marais Art Colony is hosting an exhibit of works by artisans from Cameron Norman’s new book: “Superior Artisans, In Praise of Hands.” The reception is Friday, July 3 from 6-9 p.m. with appetizers by Chez Jude. (Don’t miss this one!) The exhibit continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with many of the artisans in attendance to answer your questions.
One of the highlights of the July 4th weekend in Grand Marais is the 4th of July Parade, which should be better than ever this year. It starts at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.
The celebrations continue, with an ice cream social at the First Congregational Church from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It’s a great way to spend time with friends, get a sugar fix and help students in Haiti and patients in Chiapis, Mexico with your freewill donations.
There’s also plenty of time to catch “The Final Twist” at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.
And after the fireworks, the Tres Amigos (Bump Blomberg, Adam Moe, and Jef Cierniak) play at the GunFlint Tavern and Rod ‘N’ Real play at the Howlin’ Wolf.
On Sunday, hop over to Last Chance Gallery from 1-5 p.m for a number orf demonstrations as well as tea and refreshments. Sculptor Tom Christiansen, papermaker Nancy Daley, painter Anna Hess and potter Daniel Soderstrom will be giving demonstrations throughout the afternoon.
Have a great weekend!
