North House Folk School

On Campus Events: June 17-19, 2022 

We plan to host these on campus events in alignment with the current recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health. See our guidelines here.

Crafting on the Commons

Friday, June 17, Noon-6:30pm & Saturday, June 18, 10am-4pm

Witness skilled traditional craft artisans as they join up in community over the weekend to celebrate the process of craft.  Demonstrators will be on hand outdoors Friday-Saturday, welcoming your curiosity, questions and interest from a safe distance. 

Demonstrators

Friday
Dick Enstad - Rope Making
Nancy Enstad - Square Cordage Lucet Braiding
Lawrence Straley - Knot Work
Tara Austin - Rosemaling
Emily Derke - Basketry
Northwoods Fiber Guild
Laura Brown - Quilting
Nate White - Electric Lathe Bowl Turning
Candace LaCosse  - Leatherworking
Wesley Hathaway - Spooncarving
Marcie McIntire - Anishinaabe Style Beadwork
Jarrod Dahl - Knutkorg Baskets

Saturday
Dick Enstad - Rope Making
Nancy Enstad - Square Cordage Lucet Braiding
Lawrence Straley - Knot Work
Tara Austin - Rosemaling
Emily Derke - Basketry
Northwoods Fiber Guild
Laura Brown - Quilting
Nate White - Electric Lathe Bowl Turning
Christine Novotny - Weaving
Cody Myers - Blacksmithing
Marybeth Garmoe - Broom Making
Greg Biskakone Johnson - Traditional Craft
Candace LaCosse  - Leatherworking
Wesley Hathaway - Spooncarving
Marcie McIntire - Anishinaabe Style Beadwork
Jarrod Dahl - Knutkorg Baskets
 

Wooden Boat Display

Friday, June 17; Noon-7pm; Saturday, June 18; 10am-4pm; Sunday, June 19; 10am-2pm

Wooden boat builders and enthusiasts from across the Midwest are invited to display their crafts on campus throughout the weekend. Admire the work of others, get your questions answered and perhaps feel inspired to build one of your own.

Register to display your boat here.
Already registered? Information for Registered Exhibitors here.

Speaker Series

Friday, June 17: 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm

Watch, listen, and be inspired by stories and histories that connect craft, livelihood, and survival. 

2pm | A Resident Artisan in Scandinavia, Emily Derke
Fresh off her grand trip to Scandinavia where she worked with extraordinary craftspeople such as Steen Madsen, exploring basketry, hide tanning, rope making, and more, Emily will present a slideshow culmination of her recent educational travel experiences.

3pm | The Ropewalk Method of Cordage Production, Dick Enstad
Soak in the extraordinary ropemaking knowledge of Dick Enstad. Discover fascinating facts and stories as the history of ropemaking comes alive in this enlightening presentation. 

4pm | Commercial Fishing Q&A, Tyler Smith and Ben Larson
If you wake up early enough and have an eye on the harbor, you'll see a boat motoring out surrounded by a cloud of seagulls. Commercial fishing has been a beloved industry of Grand Marais and Cook County for at least 150 years; Tyler Smith and Ben Larson of North Superior Fisheries continue the tradition. Join them for an hour of question and answer about their profession on the Big Lake.

Family Drop-In Crafts

Friday, June 17; Noon-5pm & Saturday, June 18; 10am-4pm

Drop by the Family Craft Zone and get creative! Make a cattail duck or an  origami fish, make a Community Quilt with Resident Artisan Laura Brown, and join the Northwoods Fiber Guild for all sorts of fun fiber activities! Lots of fun for imaginative folks ages 2-102.

Boats-to-Tools Auction

Saturday, June 18; 10am-3pm

The Boats to Tools auction includes hundreds of unique and well-loved items donated by the North House community. From antique hand tools, to camping equipment, to wooden boats and a start for your own craft library - you won't want to miss the fun! In previous years we've seen rare wood canvas canoes, Tormek sharpening systems, electric smokers, and outdoor equipment.

Happening live on campus! The silent auction always includes a few treasures and many surprises, and proceeds benefit the mission of the folk school - so plan to bid early and bid often! Bidding closes at 3pm sharp!

Interested in supporting North House's mission by providing a donation  (boats, tools, books, camping equipment, craft supplies) - To place your items in the auction, fill out this short form. Items over $100 are eligible to split the proceeds between the donor and North House.

Featured Presentation

Sunday, June 19: 11am

Stories from the Beginning; Celebrating 25 Years of NHFS
It’s hard to believe a quarter century has passed since the creation of North House Folk School. There are more than a few stories to share about the vision, values, volumes of work and little bit of luck that have breathed life into this place. Join school founders Mark Hansen and Tom Healy, as well as founding board member Tim Cochrane to recount the early days of the folk school. Lots of laughter & many “true as remembered” tales guaranteed.

Join us on campus or view the strem from home at this link.

Community Gatherings

Live Music on Campus

Friday, June 17; Noon to 7pm & Saturday, June 18; 9am-3pm | Free

Keep things moving and grooving with live music on the Commons

Community Open House and Pie Social 

Friday, June 17; 5-7pm  | Free Pie, $5 - $10 a la carte picnic fare or BYO 

Ready to kick off summer in the North? Make the most of a perfect combination—a BBQ by the Harbor, live music, and good company. Support the Grand Marais Lions Club and purchase their classic ($5-10) picnic fare (or Bring Your Own) and top that off with free pie! North House is honored to support the Grand Marais Lions Club and serve the famed pies of Blue Water Café. We’ll have a campfire going as well. 

Community Paddle/Row/Sail on the Harbor! Small Craft Takeover!

Friday, June 17; 7-8pm

Celebrate the longest days of the year on the water with a Small Craft Critical Mass Paddle. Weather permitting, we invite anyone with a boat to join us for a row, paddle or sail on the beautiful waters of the Grand Marais harbor. Portage on down to campus and head out from our docks or use the Rec Park boat launch, with ample parking available. BYO boat, PFDs, and paddles.

Community Contra Dance with the Drew & Kyle Town Band 

Friday, June 17; 7-8pm (Family Dance) & 8-10pm (Community Dance) | Free

North House’s boatbuilding workshop converts into a traditional community contra dance on Friday night, welcoming families for the first hour to learn traditional dances geared towards families with children. All are welcome the following two hours for the community dance.

Lake Superior Chowder Experience - An Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Saturday, June 18; Noon -1pm

$15 adults, $10 kids 12 and under

Get your bowl for the 22nd annual Lake Superior Chowder Experience – a festival highlight that brings chowders of North Shore restaurants for you to taste. Smoky steelhead, salsa corn, walleye and clam, and even a take on watermelon were just a few of the interpretations area restaurants took last year. Combined with freshly baked breads from North House’s wood-fired oven, this is a North Shore culinary event not to be missed. This year's event is a fundraiser for Empty Bowls, fighting hunger in our community.

The Lost Forty Concert

Saturday, June 18; 3pm

The Lost Forty revives Great Lakes folk songs from the days when pine was king. Through finely crafted arrangements, Brian Miller and Randy Gosa give voice to North Woods history.

Summer Solstice Pageant with the Good Harbor Hill Players & GAMEPALAJ

Saturday, June 18; 8pm

After a two-year absence, the Summer Solstice Pageant returns to the Wooden Boat Show! The Good Harbor Hill Players and GAMEPALAJ present The Greatest Show is Earth: A Wondrous Wilderness Circus! Hand-made puppets, live musical accompaniment, and more. It is truly a show you're unlikely to forget. Come welcome the Sun King's return as another summer begins!

Fika and Friends

Sunday, 9:30am | Free

Wooden Boat Show's joyous celebration of craft and community continues on Sunday morning! All are welcome to join North House for a mid-morning fika as we thank our circle of members and friends. Coffee and light refreshments will be served, including locally baked bread, smoked fish, and other treats!

Intro to Wood-Fired Baking: Mini Course

Saturday, June 18; 3-5pm | $20

For new and seasoned bakers alike, experience the delight of baking in our outdoor wood-fired oven. In this two hour course, students will be introduced to baking bread and using a wood-fired oven. Each student will get to bake carta di musica (thin wafer bread) and focaccia while exploring the history and science of bread baking. $20/person. Children ages 7 and up are welcome, and must register along with an adult. Registration required, Book here.

Sailing on Hjørdis

Friday, June 17 & Saturday, June 18

The flagship of the Grand Marais Harbor, Hjørdis shares the name of the mythical Norse goddess of war. Take a trip on this 50’ traditionally-rigged steel schooner and gain access to both the largest lake in the world and experience Grand Marais as it was approached in the centuries before Highway 61 — from the water. Book your sail now!

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers have always been a critical and vibrant part of Wooden Boat Show, and volunteer sign up is now open! See a description of all volunteer roles here, and sign up here! Some roles earn work-study credits, as noted in the role descriptions.