Held on Sunday, August 11, we had another beautiful day and great turnout for our annual Ely Garden Party at the South Kawishiwi River Campground Pavilion in Ely, Minnesota, to celebrate the Boundary Waters, and raised nearly $40,000 in critical funds for its permanent protection.
The afternoon was filled with the joyful sounds of old friends reconnecting and new friendships forming. As attendees mingled, shared stories, and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, it was clear that the love for the Boundary Waters continues to bring people together in powerful ways.
As we celebrated together, our Executive Director Ingrid Lyons reminded us of the significance of this year - the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. This landmark legislation has been the cornerstone of the efforts to protect the Boundary Waters for six decades. However, our work is far from over. The challenges facing this pristine Wilderness continue to evolve, and the ongoing involvement and support from our paddling community is crucial to ensuring its protection for the next 60 years and beyond.
The success of this gathering wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of our supporters and sponsors. We'd like to extend a special thank you to:
- Chef Chris Glazer of the Tower Cafe for the delicious catering
- Crystal Schlueter, who writes the End of the Road Recipes column at the Ely Echo, for the amazing desserts
- Jordyn Stocks for additional dessert catering
- North Shore Winery, Bell's Brewery, and Revive Distilling for their beverage donations
- Keith Miesel Photography for capturing the moments
And a special thank you to board member Steve Piragis, whose leadership has been instrumental in organizing this event year after year. What began as a gathering in Steve and Nancy’s garden ten years ago has blossomed into the wonderful annual community celebration we enjoy today.
On behalf of all the staff and board at Save the Boundary Waters, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this year’s Ely Garden Party such a wonderful afternoon, and we look forward to celebrating our achievements towards permanent protection.
