Photo: BEAR’ly Open
The BEAR’ly Open is back and better than ever.
After a cancellation due to ice conditions in 2024, the BEAR’ly Open golf on ice event will return the first weekend of February. The annual event has brought joy to the community for 17 years, supporting White Bear Area Food Shelf’s efforts to combat food insecurity.
“The need within our community is the greatest that we’ve seen. We’ve seen a 52 percent increase in visitors to the food shelf in the past year … We’re averaging 5,500 visitors per month,” says Perry Peterson, the food shelf’s executive director. “This is a key event to invite new sponsors and all our gracious sponsors from before to raise the finances that we need to meet that growing need.”
The festivities start with a dance party on January 31 at the White Bear Country Inn. The evening will include a social hour filled with live music, games, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
The main event is the one-of-a-kind golf event on February 1 on frozen White Bear Lake at White Bear Lake County Park. Participants can tackle 18 holes, custom-designed by event founder Ken Galloway, and swap out their usual clubs for creative alternatives, such as hockey sticks and tennis racquets to hit tennis balls.
For those unable to attend in person, an online auction will feature items and experiences donated by local businesses and community members. The auction will run from January 27 to February 1.
“We’re excited to be back this year,” Peterson says. “… It should be a fun party.”
Tickets and more information can be found on the BEAR’ly Open website.
BEAR’ly Open
bearlyopen@gmail.com
Facebook: BEAR’ly Open
Instagram: @bearlyopen
