February is chock full of events on the Mesabi Range, from an ATV ride and the Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival (Feb 12-14), to dinner and an interactive murder mystery at the Minnesota Discovery Center (Feb 20). There are events for everyone during this magic Mesabi month!
See the Wolak and Donnelly Duo bring a clarinet and piano to their fabulous stage performance at Virginia High School Auditorium on February 1. On the 6-7, kids of all ages converge on the Loon Lake Town Hall for Laskianen, a Finnish sliding festival celebrated with food, drink, music and a great big slippery hill. In the evening, catch the Great Northern Radio Show at the nearby Aurora High School auditorium. Tickets are $10
Events indoors and out!
On Feb 13, visit Minnesota Discovery Center for a fun Family Discovery Day with fossils! Learn about the fossils recently uncovered at Hill Annex Mine near Coleraine and take part in 
crafts and other activities. For a “motorized” adventure the same day, join Northern Traxx ATV club for their Polar Bear Ride on the new ATV trail north of Chisholm. Meet at Tom and Jerry’s at 10 a.m.
February 20, help solve a murder mystery when the game of Clue! comes to life at Minnesota Discovery Center. It’s a Clueseum event with full audience participation (plus dinner and drinks). Don’t miss this adult evening out.
Events to celebrate trails, wildlife and arts
Also on the 20th, make a point to get out and ride your snowmobile! Celebrate 30 years of the mighty Taconite Trail, with specials at restaurants along the trail and a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting at various locations, complete with cocoa and cookies.
On the 21st, stop by the Sax-Zim Bog welcome center for a special program “Animal Adaptations,” and stick around for the northern owl program, including a caravan into the bog to search for owls!
Photo by Jason Mandich
February 27, take in (and maybe buy) the work of local artists at a Range of the Arts, held at Virginia’s Memorial Building.
See Scott Kirby: Main Street Souvenirs, a piano performance at the historic Hibbing High School auditorium on Feb 28.
Events that last the whole month long
All month, catch live music at 218 Taphouse and the Shop CoffeeHouse in Virginia. Great menu, plenty of craft beers and local musicians on stage.
And every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon, take a guided snowshoe hike at Minnesota Discovery Center. Admission is always always free Thursdays after 5, so you just pay for the snowshoe rental – or bring your own!
Call 800-777-8497.