HomeGales of November

Gales of November 2025

Attendees

This year's program observes the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking.

Join us for two days of excellent presentations and a bus tour of local areas of interest.

Exhibitors

Exhibitors receive an 8x10 skirted table, WIFI, and an Italian buffet for two. Electricity and extra chairs can be purchased for an additional cost.

Cost is $200 per table.

Exhibitor Registration

Program Details

Friday, November 7

Speaker List

David Schauer, LSMMA President - Welcome
Sara Summers-Luedtke - Visitor Center Update
Scott Bjorklund- South Breakwater Light History
Al Finlayson - Lighthouse Renovation
Fred Stonehouse - Fitzgerald Sinking, Evolution of Theories
Jayson Hron and Kate Ferguson - Duluth Seaway Port Authority Update

Buffet luncheon

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Cost:$50.00 per person
Location: The Garden - 425 South Lake Avenue

Friday Bus Tour and Reception

Bus Tour

Join Us as we board a motor coach and head for tours:

Midwest Energy

Fraser Shipyards

BNSF Allouez Taconite Facility

Time: 1:45 and returns at approximately 4:30.
Cost: $30.00 per person
Location-Motorcoach departs and returns at the Garden

(Please do not call the Garden for bus tour questions, call the LSMMA office 218.727.2497

Bus Tour - Sold Out

Reception

Friday evening reception will follow at The Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: 600 Canal Park Drive

Saturday, November 8

Speaker List

David Schauer, LSMMA President - Welcome
Sara Summers-Luedtke - Visitor Center Update
Ian Grant - Henry Steinbrenner Shipwreck
Hayes Scriven, Lee Radzak, Split Rock Beacon Lighting
Keynote Speaker: Ric Mixter - Fitzgerald Investigations
Steve Ackerman - Explore the storm that sunk the Fitzgerald
John Bacon - the Edmund Fitzgerald disaster

Includes an Italian buffet luncheon & a cash bar (bar opens at 2pm) .

Silent Auction

A silent auction will run from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Time: 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Cost: $90.00 per person

Location: DECC-350 Harbor Drive

Reception

A reception will follow at the DECC

Cruise of a Lifetime Drawing

The Cruise of a Lifetime Drawing will be held at the conclusion of Saturday speakers
Ticket receipt stubs will not be mailed out the week of the Gales, but retained in the office. Ticket requests will be honored if received in time. If received after November 6 your check will be mailed back. Ticket sales will be available at the Gales of November until gone. Good Luck!

This trip is generously donated by the CN Great Lakes Fleet!

Purchase Raffle Tickets

Early Event presented by UMD

"Gales of November" Special Concert Event - Thursday, November 6, at 7:30pm at the Marshall Performing Arts Center on the UMD campus

Kevin Kling, Prudence Johnson, Ruth MacKenzie and Claudia Schmidt head an all-star cast that revisits the final voyage of the Great Lakes ore freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald with GALES OF NOVEMBER, a touring concert adaptation of the critically acclaimed play TEN NOVEMBER. The story centers on the mysterious sinking of “The Fitz”, lost with all hands in a raging storm on Lake Superior, November 10, 1975. UMD will be the only stop in our region of the current production of this powerful and evocative show, and the performance happens to coincide with the annual conference.

Single tickets go on sale September 1.

$25 adult | $20 senior/UMD Faculty/Staff/Veteran | $15 student/child | $10 UMD student

Tickets may be ordered online via the UMD Theatre ticketing site, or by phone at 218-726-8561

Gales of November 2025

Attendees

Join us for two days of excellent presentations and a bus tour of local areas of interest.

Exhibitors

Program Details

Friday, November 7

Speaker List

Friday Bus Tour and Reception

Bus Tour

Reception

Saturday, November 8

Speaker List

Silent Auction

Reception

Cruise of a Lifetime Drawing

Early Event presented by UMD

Help Preserve Maritime History

Lighthouse

Maritime Visitor Center

Boat Watchers

Gales of November

Contact Us