Up On The Yonder 2023. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - November 19, 2024


On Saturday, November 23rd, Up Yonder in Grand Marais will host the second Up On The Yonder Holiday Market, sponsored by The Big Lake. This holiday event will bring together 16 local businesses and three student groups. Abby Tofte, owner of The Big Lake and Lady Superior Bottle Shop, shared that this will be the fourth holiday market since opening The Big Lake in 2018. "I love parties, planning them, and coming up with different themes," she told Boreal Community Media. Tofte originally wanted to host a community holiday event at her store but was limited by space.

The event, formerly known as "It's a Wonder Bar Life" and held at the old Wonder Bar, traditionally occurred on a weekday evening. However, following a very successful Saturday event in 2023, this year's market is back on the weekend. Designed for creators and local businesses to showcase and sell their work at the start of the holiday season, it also serves as a time for the community to gather. Taking place in November, a quieter period in the area, the event attracts a significant local audience. Tofte said that the event is typically full of locals, and is an opportunity for businesses and makers to showcase their holiday offerings and provide the community with first access before the seasonal rush begins.

Like last year, the first 50 people who purchase a beverage from Up Yonder will receive a free, custom-designed event pint glass. This year, attendees have the opportunity to score more custom swag and support local schools. Three school groups will be on-site raising money for various projects or causes. 

One student group is the Great Expectations School (GES) 7th and 8th graders, who are raising money for a service trip to Panama by selling savory snacks and operating a face-painting station. The trip, under the guidance of Global Impact Squads, is an opportunity for students to work with a rural community on school improvement and participate in cultural experiences. 

According to Rachael Lehman, GES Director, "In addition to raising funds to cover their travel expenses, students are also tasked with raising money to support the costs of materials needed for their service project. The Panamanian community they will live in will determine a specific project, such as painting a school or completing another essential improvement. The funds raised by the students will cover all necessary supplies, including paint, brushes, and building materials, ensuring they can fully contribute to and support the community's chosen initiative."

Another student group is the ISD 166 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, who will be offering gift-wrapping services to raise money for a trip to Washington, DC. 28 students will have the opportunity to visit museums, monuments, and other well-known landmarks such as Arlington Cemetary, the Capital, and the White House neighborhood. The group will be traveling with an "educational non-profit called Close Up, whose goal it is to create more informed and involved citizens," according to trip organizer and 6th through 8th grade Social Studies teacher Melanie Olsen. High school students on the trip will have the opportunity to select a topic they're passionate about, conduct research at the Smithsonian Institute, and then meet with representatives at the Capital. 

Finally, the Cook County ISD 166 PTA will offer a "VIPTA" experience, which consists of early shopping access (beginning at 10:30 a.m.) with a donation of $10. Additionally, the first 48 people to arrive for the VIPTA experience will receive a free tote with a custom design by Lydia Noble, filled with holiday goodies. Next year, Tofte says she hopes to offer this VIP experience again, with combined efforts from the GES PTA (who could not make it work with their schedule this year) and ones from the other schools if they're interested. The group will also be selling new Vikings apparel showcasing a new vintage logo.

The ISD 166 PTA uses funds to support teachers in their classrooms and provide students with additional opportunities such as field trips to places like the Grand Marais Art Colony, track and field day, end-of-year Dairy Queen treats, a high school student sundae bar, a 5th-grade grad cake, and more. The PTA also helps with school pictures, the Scholastic Book Fair, and special parent lunches, amongst other events. 

In addition to the three school groups, 16 local businesses will be represented at the event. Tofte shared that there will be many returning favorites, as well as some new vendors. "Before we even announced a call for vendors, all available slots were full, and there were many on the waitlist," she said. 

Here is the list of local businesses that will be selling at the event: 

• Kari Carter Pottery
• The Chocolate Dog, Chelsea Pusc
• North Road Knits, Jamie Rexx
• The Sweetwater Co.
• Serenity Pines Creations, Terry Lord-Lewis
• The Big Lake
• Lady Superior Bottle Shop
• Natalie Sobanja Pottery
• Cedar Sweets
• Gina Adams Painting
• Scent from Nature, 100% Pure Beeswax Candles
• JR Designs
• The Wilder Woodshop
• The Bizzy Beader
• Nordic Scents
• Roam & Whimsy

Up On The Yonder will take place on Saturday, November 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (VIPTA early access begins at 10:30 a.m. at the door) at Up Yonder in Grand Marais. Learn more here.


11/19 update: This article has been updated to reflect that it incorrectly stated a wood ornament from Rebecca Wilder of The Wilder Woodshop was included in the VIPTA gift bag.