2025
SEPTEMBER
Star Party Open House
September 18, 2025 – 6-8pm
Stop by for a free open house celebrating Minnesota’s Statewide Star Party with night sky themed activities!
In collaboration with the Bell Museum and the Ely Chamber of Commerce
It’s a great way to start the busy weekend of star and Aurora-gazing, Marathon running and fall leaf-peeping.
Enjoy museum exhibits, star party activities and a harvest season retail sale!
Root Beer & Beverage Tent Fundraiser
at the Ely Marathon Finish Line
September 19 & 20, 2025
Root Beer, Tap Beer, Canned Seltzer, Bottled Water & Canned Pop available for purchase. Hot Coffee available with free will donation.
Join the fun at Whiteside Park during the Ely Marathon Weekend of events!
The Museum will operate a beverage tent to raise funds to support the mission.
Dorothy’s Root Beer Run
Kid’s Marathon
September 20, 2025 – 8:45-10am
Kids who will be in grades 2-5 in Sept 2025
Sponsored by the Dorothy Molter Museum
The Ely Marathon is working hard to instill the joy of running in children!
Youth run 25 miles at some point prior to race day. On race day, they will complete the final 1.2 miles of the course and end at the official finish line.
2026
FEBRUARY
BW Experience: Dogsled to Dorothy’s
February 26-March 1, 2026
$1,650/Member
$1,850/Non-member
Available seats: 4
Join the Dorothy Molter Museum and Hauling Dogs, LLC on this unique adventure “up to Dorothy’s” in the winter by dogsled!
Travel from Moose Lake Landing up to Knife where you’ll camp for two nights, visit Dorothy’s Isle of Pines, and spend time trout fishing. Your outdoor adventure awaits!
JUNE
Dorothy Molter Experience: Women’s Canoe Trip
June 15-19, 2026
$925
Available seats: 7
A fully guided and outfitted, all-women BWCA canoe trip exploring the life and times of the inspiring Root Beer Lady of Knife Lake!
Paddle the legendary canoe route to the former home of the last legal non-indigenous resident of the BWCA and learn about this rugged woman’s life of operating a wilderness fishing resort.
This program is in partnership with Ely Outfitting Company and BW Guide Service of Ely.
Speaker Services & Programs
Need a speaker with an inspiring story for your next event? Want to offer a fun party activity? Presentations (virtual and in-person) on the life of Dorothy Molter and/or root beer making events are available year-round. Presentations can be formatted to fit the needs of your organization and audience, and include additional topics such as the Boundary Waters, Northwoods ecology, and wilderness living.
Dorothy’s story is perfect for all ages and can be told at:
- Club meetings
- Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner events
- Conferences
- Conventions
- Corporate retreats
- Special events & birthdays
- Root beer float socials or parties using Dorothy’s Isle of Pines Root Beer
Speaker Program fee: $25 per hour presentation plus travel expenses (time to travel, cost of travel, lodging, meals, etc.); Discounts available for programs in the Ely Area.
Root Beer Float or Root Beer Making Party fee: Per person fee based on type of program interest and audience type, call/email for a quote!
218 365 4451 info@rootbeerlady.com
Duration: One hour minimum
Minimum equipment requirement: Access to electricity and a projector screen or presentation monitor