Entertainment

50th Annual ‘Outdoors Sports Show’ Begins at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn.– For 50 years, the DECC has been hosting its highly anticipated outdoor sports show, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the region to explore the latest in outdoor gear and activities More than 250 vendors are preparing to set up shop throughout the DECC. Guests can browse for anything ranging from fishing lures and rods to RVs and…

Big Top Chautauqua Facing Significant Financial Struggles

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — There are serious financial challenges facing Big Top Chautauqua at the ski hill it sits on in Bayfield County. Despite this, board members told FOX 21 they are determined to reinvent the operations for long-term success. In 2022, the Ashwabay Alliance, which operates Big Top Chautauqua and Mount Ashwabay ski and recreation area, racked up a…

5th Annual Musical Bingo Raises Nearly $6,000 For Local Music

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two hundred people came out to the annual Musical Bingo fundraiser at Barker’s Island to help support local artists and musicians. Superior City Councilor and local business owner Lindsey Graskey and FOX 21’s Dan Hanger hosted the fun with plenty of one-liners. Musical Bingo is a version of bingo. The band Mackie Brothers sings a short clip…

‘Emilia Pérez’ tops Oscar nominations with 13, ‘Wicked’ and ‘The Brutalist’ land 10 apiece

In the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles that struck at the heart of the movie industry, an embattled Hollywood lined up behind the Netflix narco-musical about trans identity “Emilia Pérez” in Oscar nominations Thursday. Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a Spanish language, French-made film, dominated the nominations with a leading 13 nominations, including best picture and best actress for…

Minnesota State Fair Ticket, Parking Prices To Rise In 2025

The Minnesota State Fair will hike ticket prices by $2 this year, bringing the cost of a regular ticket for an adult to $20. On Sunday, fair officials said ticket prices would go up as the fair looks to “fund extensive capital improvements and maintenance work and address rising operational costs.” The fair kept ticket prices flat in 2024 after…

Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company

The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, holding that the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the United States. A sale does not appear imminent and, although…

DECC wrapping up plans on “Portside Park”

DULUTH, Minn. — The DECC in Duluth has begun wrapping up a project they’re calling “Portside Park.” The site will act as a venue that will hold 4-thousand guests. Stemming from the success following popular events such as the Winter Village, they’re excited to incorporate this while rebuilding the sea-wall. The DECC is looking forward to holding concerts and other…

Prince Estate Seeks To Block Netflix Documentary

An Oscar-winning filmmaker has made a nine-hour Netflix documentary on the late music legend Prince, but it may never be shown. Prince’s estate is in a legal battle with Netflix blocking the film’s release. The estate has reportedly demanded changes to the documentary. Two of the companies involved in the estate gave a joint statement to the Hollywood Reporter in…

Bob Dylan Memorabilia Up For Auction

A treasure-trove of Bob Dylan memorabilia is going up for auction. Julien’s Auctions says about 50 items and artifacts will be up for sale, including early handwritten drafts of Dylan’s first number one hit “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The items are from the personal collection of journalist Al Aronowitz, commonly known as the “godfather of rock journalism.” Among the items are…

Wonder Wednesdays at Great Lakes Aquarium

DULUTH, Minn.– Aquatic enthusiasts are fighting that midweek slump feeling by participating in this weekly winter event. Wonder Wednesdays is a winter long event put on by the Great Lakes Aquarium. They’re offering admission reduced to six dollars all day every Wednesday It’s giving both kids and adults the opportunity to warm up and enjoy the exhibits. There are also…

Gunflint Mail Run Dogsled Race Needs Volunteers After Postponing

COOK COUNTY, Minn.– For this year’s postponed Gunflint Mail Run Dogsled race, one hundred volunteers are needed to help make this happen. The lack of snow and too much rain this season are the reasons for the delayed start. The dogsled race is now scheduled for February 8th. This comes after last year’s ended up being canceled because of the…

Chester Bowl Begins Annual Ski & Snowboarding Lessons

DULUTH, Minn.– Chester Bowl is beginning their season of lessons and teaching kids all about shredding the slopes. 120 kids participated in the first day of ski and snowboard lessons. Many of them learned the ropes on the bunny hill. Today’s lessons included skills such as using the chair lift and conquering the hills with the infamous ‘pizza and French…

Thousands Take In The ‘Christmas City Express’

DULUTH, Minn. — The Christmas City Express performances and train rides finished up this weekend at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. More than 5,000 people attended the story performance over the past month, which includes a train ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. It’s an important event to the museum, with the annual tradition putting smiles on kids of…

DECC Dir.: Managing Bayfront Again Ensures Non-Competing Events Among All DECC Venues

DULUTH, Minn. – DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman is pleased management at Bayfront Festival Park is coming back under the DECC’s control in a new five-year contract agreement beginning in January 2025. The council approved the RFP process Monday night lead by city staff who chose the DECC as Bayfront’s next manager. The contract is worth around $443,000 over five…

Management Of Bayfront Festival Park Set To Return To DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Management of Duluth’s premier entertainment venue, Bayfront Festival Park, is headed back to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center for the next five years if the council signs off on Monday. For the last year, Winterfell Management has handled all promotions, productions and management of Bayfront with a one-year agreement with the city. Newly elected Mayor Roger Reinert…

Sax Zim Bog Draws in Diverse Crowd

MEADOWLANDS, Minn.– When the temps drop in northern Minnesota, most of the time, you can expect people to stay inside where it’s nice and warm. But the bog is a different story, as it draws quite the crowd during the winter months. “It’s really fun, and we definitely get a lot of global attention from folks coming in. Last year,…

‘Trains and Toddlers’ Program Returns to Lake Superior Railroad Museum

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is bringing back its ‘trains and toddlers’ program after it was derailed by COVID. The program at the Depot is all about getting youngsters up close and person with all types of trains. The fun begins with story time in the Zelda Theater followed by arts and crafts. Organizers say it’s a perfect…

Scores Released For Top 5 Finalists Of Duluth’s Next Tourism Marketing Contract

Council to vote for or against Madden Media of Arizona at Monday night's city council meeting (Dec. 9)

DULUTH, Minn. — We now know the scores for the top five marketing agencies that applied for Duluth’s next multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract. Below are the scores based off a 100-point scale: Madden Media of Arizona: 81.65 Hailey Sault of Duluth: 78.31 AIMCLEAR of Duluth: 78.29 Lawrence & Schiller of South Dakota: 75.20 Swim Creative of Duluth: 73.55 Any…

Stolen Ruby Slippers Worn By Judy Garland In ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Auctioned For $28M

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A pair of iconic ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago sold for a winning bid of $28 million at auction Saturday. Heritage Auctions had estimated that they would fetch $3 million or more, but the fast-paced bidding far outpaced that…

Volunteers Prepare for Hmong New Year Celebration

  DULUTH, Minn.– The annual Hmong New Year is right around the corner and volunteers are rolling out 800 egg rolls and purple rice for this celebration. Every year, the Northland has the opportunity to experience the Hmong New Year celebration. The event is described as a reunion, regulars will often return every year to experience the gathering. The Hmong…

‘Tinsel Tavern’ to Shine at Duluth Winter Village

DULUTH, Minn. — This year’s Duluth Winter Village at the DECC is expanding to include a Tinsel Tavern. The tavern includes 1,000 feet of tinsel, 600 feet of wrapping paper and 36 strings of lights.  As for the tavern, Vikre Distillery will be creating holiday cocktails and mocktails, like a Gingerbread Old Fashion. The Winter Village is Saturday and Sunday…

Minnesota Ballet Performs at Essentia Health

DULUTH, Minn.– After trying for several years, the Minnesota Ballet took their show on the road to spread some holiday spirit. Dancers of the Minnesota Ballet visited Essentia Health and performed several scenes from the Nutcracker for visitors passing by. In addition, they also passed out coupons for the upcoming Friday and Saturday performances. A free child ticket, with a…

On the Farm: Brad the Sheep is Home Safe after Wild Escape

CARLTON, Minn. — After weeks of suspense, close calls, and multiple failed capture attempts–Brad the sheep is finally back home in Carlton. Brad, the runaway sheep turned local celebrity, returned late Tuesday night, much to everyone’s relief. “I still feel like I’m processing it, but being here today is like “oh year, he’s safe, he’s fine, he doesn’t have to…

‘Rocket Deli’ To Open In Heart Of Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A taste of New York is coming to downtown Duluth. The Rocket Deli is under construction right now at the corner of East Superior Street and 2nd Avenue, in the former T-Icy Roll location and next to Blacklist Brewery. The windows were covered Wednesday with the deli’s menu, which includes Rueben, Italian and pastrami sandwiches, along with…

DECC Hosts 12th Annual Junk Hunt

DULUTH, Minn.– Over 150 vendors are gathering at the DECC to sell their antiques, treats and trinkets. The event draws in junk hunters near and far. With some of the booths selling heavy furniture, the junk hunt has their team of “junk hunks” in orange shirts to help load those items. “We started with like half a dozen vendors back…

The Wonders of Japanese Kimono Silks

DULUTH, Minn. — The Needle Art Guild in Duluth is celebrating a special craft when it comes to sewing. The 51-year-old organization has been teaching a variety sewing techniques such as embroidery, stitching and beading. But Monday, the Needle Art Guild is learning about Japanese Kimono Silks by welcoming guest speaker Patty Sampson. She’s a custom dressmaker and designer who…

Special Report: Ski Accident Inspires Duluth Man’s New Career

DULUTH, Minn.– After enduring a ski accident back in 2021, it left 17-year-old Duluth native paralyzed. It became an injury that inspired him to help others. “I became a wheelchair user. And not just a wheelchair user. But I had to deal with the chronic symptoms that came along with spinal cord injuries. Like bowel and bladder management, taking care…

DECC $1M Line Of Credit Untouched, Not Extended; Board Celebrates New Revenue

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been exactly one year since Duluth city councilors said they were blindsided by a $1 million emergency line of credit request from the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). But on Tuesday, the DECC board publicly celebrated that not a dime of the line of credit had been touched, and new revenue is up. Board President Peter…

Special Report Preview: Ski Accident Inspires Duluth Man’s Content Creation

DULUTH, Minn.– 17-year-old Mason Branstrator became paralyzed from the waist down after a skiing accident back in 2021. While conquering those hardships, he learned how to get his story out there and inspire others through his experiences. Now, the 21-year-old has been inspired to begin a new hobby after this incident. He is now doing content creating and helping others who…

Giant Pumpkins Arrive at Pier B Hotel

DULUTH, Minn.– Two giant pumpkins have made their way into the Northland, and they’re getting carved up to perfection! The pumpkins, weighing in at nearly 1,300 pounds each are on display at the Pier B hotel. The giant gourds were grown at Jerry’s Pumpkin Patch in Sturgeon Lake. And they were planted all the way back in early May. The…

UW-Superior Students De-Stress with Therapy Dog

SUPERIOR, Wis. — With the stress that school can bring, what better way to unwind than by spending time with a furry friend! This event is all part of UW-Superior’s monthly de-stress day they’re doing this fall. With having the dog on campus, students are able to learn healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress. In addition, they learn about resources…

Duluth Depot Begins Annual Haunted History Tours

DULUTH, Minn.– For over four years now, this sell out tour has been telling stories that are both unique, and scary. And from the sounds of it, people just can’t seem to get enough. “In October we run our haunted history tours. Which, it’s part paranormal investigation. And part history tour. Also, we talk about the legends and the folklore…

Content Creators Pitch Story Ideas at Catalyst Content Festival

DULUTH, Minn. — Lights, camera and action! The Annual Catalyst Content Festival is bringing together writers, directors and film enthusiasts from around the world. The festival is back and bigger than ever, as local and international content creators share their story ideas. “PitchWorld” returned to the festival, where writers and creators pitched stories that were judged by Hollywood executives. The…

Catalyst Content Festival Returns to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Catalyst Content Festival is back and bigger than ever. The festival is hosted by the Catalyst Story Institute, which works with local film organizations to showcase the work of writers, producers and directors. The festival will feature many events, from pitch competitions to table reads, and screenings of over 75 productions. And you don’t have to…