"Jabberwocky" based on a Lewis Carroll poemThe Ely Winter Festival is a happenin’ thing! This yearly event runs through February 10th and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Both international teams of sculptors and amateurs transform blocks of snow into fantabulous snow sculptures that dominate Whiteside Park.
Marlin from "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway
The snow sculptures are by far the most visible part of the Winter Fest and the most popular. However at night, they compete for attention with the ‘ice candles.’ Volunteers patiently create ‘chimneys’ of ice by partially freezing water in 5-gallon buckets and then pouring out the unfrozen water from the center. Pop a candle in and you have an ice candle. Notice the ice candle under the marlin.
"Never More" based on "The Raven" by Edgar Allan PoeThe works of local artists are displayed in nearly every storefront in town for the Ely Art Walk. 
"Slow and Steady" an Aesop FableFor more information on the Ely Winter Festival see http://elywinterfestival.com.
So what does all this have to do with bears? Nothing. But it has everything to do with community spirit and the sheer pluck required to make it through long cold Northwoods winters. It means visits from out-of-town folks we haven’t seen for months. And it also provides an opportunity for WRI and NABC staff to re-create in mid-winter along with the greater Ely community.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center