# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 06:00 pm – Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 pm (-05:00)
- **Event Description**: Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary 1986 Steger International Polar Expedition with a special evening of film, stories, music, and dancing at the Ely Historic State Theater!

Join Will Steger, Ann Bancroft, Paul Schurke, and fellow expedition members for the first-ever big-screen showing of National Geographic’s “North to the Pole!” The documentary will be followed by stories and a live Q&A with the team about the expedition that National Geographic called a “historic landmark in polar exploration.”

Then stay for a concert and dance party with Stony River—one of the Northland’s best bluegrass bands!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Ely Historic State Theater

The evening includes:

• “North to the Pole!” on the big screen
• Stories and Q&A with expedition members
• Stony River concert and dance party

Tickets are available at elystatetheater.org. $10. 

All proceeds benefit the Ely Historic State Theater during its 90th anniversary year.

Hosted by Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge

___________________________________________________________________

Special Edition TUESDAY GROUP COMMUNITY Luncheon

Friday, October 9th 11:30 a.m. at Grand Ely Lodge

Will Steger, Ann Bancroft, Paul Schurke & other members of the 1986 Steger International Polar Expedition will reminisce on what National Geographic deemed an "historic landmark in polar exploration."  On this epic 2-month trek where temps reached -74, they accomplished the first surface trek to the top of the world without resupply. And Ely was a big part of it!  Their sleds were crafted at the Ely High School, trail rations were packed at Cliff Wolds, their homemade mukluks & anoraks led to 2 of Ely's iconic businesses & Jim Brandenburg's photos landed the trek on the cover of National Geographic.  This Tuesday Group "special edition" talk is the team's way of saying "Thank you Ely!" as they gather from around the world for a 40th reunion.

Wlll Steger, Ann Bancroft, Paul Schurke, 'Ironman' Bob Mantell, Richard Weber, & Geoff Carroll will each share 5-7 minutes of reminisces plus info on our many polar adventures since then, followed by Q&A with the audience. 
The Tuesday Group presentation will be available to stream live via Zoom (link below), as well as recorded and posted to the Boundary Waters Connect YouTube channel. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81910363662

Doors open at 11:30, with the official start time of the program at noon. We begin with community announcements before commencing with the presentation. During announcements and questions, a mic will be brought around the room to ensure everyone is able to hear the question or announcement. Please wait for the mic to be brought to you so we all are able to hear.

Lunch will be served to those who are seated at a table. Please be mindful of not sitting at a table if you do not intend to order lunch, particularly during this busier season. Servers are not typically able to serve lunch to people who are not seated at the tables. Although there may be exceptions on occasion, we cannot guarantee lunch service beyond the tables. 

If you have any specific questions, feel free to email Jess at Jess@boundarywatersconnect.org.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ely/ely-celebrates-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-north-to-the-pole-expedition/200030741209345
- **Event Categories**: trips-adventures, Art, Theatre, Entertainment, Concerts, Music, Nonprofit
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Ely
- **state**: MN
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Ely's Historic State Theater
- **lat**: 47.902920641022
- **long**: -91.862911430418
- **full address**: Ely's Historic State Theater, 234 E Sheridan St, Ely, MN 55731-1452, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/44bde60c18485007700a42ff1b18aa0bc117af9ce632a31db95af3bfa2b14ed8-rimg-w1200-h690-dcf8f8e8-gmir?v=1790431065

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition being held?
  - **A:** Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition takes place on Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 pm at Ely's Historic State Theater, 234 E Sheridan St, Ely, MN 55731-1452, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition?
  - **A:** Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition is organized by Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition is ideal for live music fans, concert-goers, and anyone who enjoys unforgettable performances from their favorite artists in an electric live atmosphere. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Ely, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Ely Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the North to the Pole Expedition sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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