North House Folk School offered a free crafting event, apple pressing, and other activities. All photos by Laura Durenberger-Grunow

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 24, 2023

MEA weekend is considered by many in Cook County to be the last “hurrah” of the season, and this one went out with a bang. Families from all over Minnesota came to the area to enjoy kid-friendly activities, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. 

Many organizations and local businesses held special activities to celebrate the long weekend. One was Visit Cook County, which hosted its annual Moose Madness events, consisting of various activities. 

According to Kjersti Vick, Marketing and PR Director for Visit Cook County, “450 people came into the Info Center on Friday and Saturday (the two days Moose Madness took place), and 2,690 Moose Bucks were distributed to be used/spent at local businesses. People earned moose bucks by participating in the Moose On The Stoop scavenger hunt where participants had to find all the Moose Facts signs around town and unscramble the secret word for $5 moose bucks per person.”

Other activities included the Grand Marais State Bank Moose Medallion Hunt which was won by Jodi and Walter Lindskog (mother and son duo, Walter is 11). Vick shared with Boreal Community Media that the medallion was “Hidden in the base of a lamppost near the Coast Guard Station on the parking lot island right by the green garbage can. It was found at about noon on Saturday.”

The prize for finding the medallion was $100 from Grand Marais State Bank, and 25 Moose Bucks to spend.

Moose Madness wasn’t the only family-friendly event happening during MEA. North House Folk School and the Grand Marais Art Colony hosted crafting events, Drury Lane Books and Siverton Gallery hosted author meet and greets for fun kids books, Fisherman’s Daughter hosted Sweater Weather with local vendors, and The Hub held a purse and jewelry fundraiser, plus much more!

Moving forward, many local businesses and restaurants are closed for the season or for an extended period of time, and the employees are taking some well-deserved time off. For the most up-to-date information for your favorite restaurant or local business, check out their website or social media, or Visit Cook County: https://www.visitcookcounty.com/things-to-do/ 

 Saturday of MEA weekend provided gorgeous fall weather - so warm that many people ate outside at Angry Trout for lunch

 Mother and son duo Jodi & Walter (age 11) Lindskog, from St. Louis Park, MN, won the Grand Marais State Bank Medallion Hunt

 Visitors and locals had the opportunity to participate in the Moose Madness scavenger hunt for a chance to win Moose Bucks to spend at participating businesses

 Many local businesses participated in Moose Madness, as designated by moose tracks

 Drury Lane hosted a children's author and illustrator book signing and meet and greet. Siverton Gallery also hosted author meet and greets throughout the weekend

 Many places were packed with people

 The line for World's Best Donuts was long for most of Saturday - its last day of the season

 Fisherman's Daughter hosted Sweater Weather, a market with local vendors and smores!

 The Grand Marais Art Colony hosted free craft-making activities for kids and adults as part of the David Hahn Art Days

Visitors and locals also had the opportunity to paint-a-bowl for the November 16 Empty Bowls event at Up Yonder 

 Many gorgeous bowls will be available to purchase at the event, painted by visitors and locals

 The Hub hosted a jewelry and purse fundraiser. Baked goods and caramel apples were also available to purchase

 Visitors and locals were treated to gorgeous fall colors, sunshine, and temps in the 50s

 The Grand Marais Apple Festival also took place over the weekend, with orchard openings in three different locations