The "Golden Ladle" Soup Contest at the Ely Community Center

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
$10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12, free for children under 5 ($20 family maximum)
No pre-registration; pay at the door

The Ely Community Center and the Ely Folk School invite everyone to bring their appetites to the first annual “Golden Ladle Contest” on Thursday, October 23, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Local restaurants will compete ladle-to-ladle as the community tastes, votes, and crowns Ely’s top soup. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids (ages 6–12), free for children under 5, with a $20 family maximum. Each ticket includes soup samples, bread, dessert, drinks, and one voting token. Extra tokens are $1 each.

“The Golden Ladle Contest is about celebrating Ely’s food scene and enjoying a cozy night together,” said event coordinator Tara Boerst. “We don’t expect this to be a major fundraiser — the small proceeds will help us kick off Ely’s new Holiday Lights Contest in December.”

Participating restaurants include Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant, Grand Ely Lodge, Britton’s Café, Frisky Otter, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium, Insula Restaurant, Northern Grounds, Sheridan Street Delicatessen, Boundary Waters Catering, and Zup’s Deli.

Guests can also support local artisans by purchasing handmade bowls at the event. Each bowl purchase includes free admission to the Golden Ladle Contest — a meaningful way to enjoy soup while supporting Ely’s pottery community.

The contest will be held at the Ely Community Center, 27 First Avenue East. Voting closes at 6:45 p.m., with the Golden Ladle winner announced at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the Ely Community Center Facebook page or contact elycommunitycenter@gmail.com.