Our story
Collaboration, not competition
The Blueberry Loop was born out of a setback — and turned into one of the best things to happen across our three towns.
In 2026, wildfire smoke across northern Minnesota forced the cancellation of the beloved Blueberry Festival. For a community that looks forward to it all year, it was a real loss.
Rather than simply cancel and wait for next year, the people of Ely, Babbitt, and Tower came together with a new idea: instead of one town hosting one festival, why not connect all three? The Blueberry Loop was created — a route that carried visitors between vendors in each town, spreading the celebration across the whole area.
It worked. Visitors discovered corners of the Iron Range they'd never explored. Vendors reached new customers. And three communities that might once have competed for the same weekend found something better in working together.
The Blueberry Loop is now an annual tradition — a celebration of what our towns can do when we collaborate.
With thanks to our partners
Sponsor & partner logos go here.
The three towns, chambers, and sponsors who made the Loop possible. (To collect: names + logo files.)