Gales of November

The Gales of November is a two-day educational, fundraising and networking event. The event brings together the entire Lake Superior community to learn about underwater exploration, Great Lakes lighthouses and shipwrecks, maritime history and diving technology. Gales of November also includes a maritime trade show and exciting silent auction. Funds collected at Gales of November go to help maintain and preserve the Lakes Superior Maritime Visitor Center.

Thursday, Nov 6, 2025: Marshall Performing Arts Center on the UMD campus
Friday, Nov 7, 2025: The Garden Event Center
Saturday, Nov 8, 2025: The DECC – Harborside Convention Center

For more information and to register, visit lsmma.com.

Thursday Schedule:
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $25 adult | $20 senior/UMD Faculty/Staff/Veteran | $15 student/child | $10 UMD student
Location: Marshall Performing Arts Center on the UMD campus.

Thursday “Gales of November” Special Concert Event:
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.

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

Friday Schedule:
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Cost: $50.00 per person
Location: The Garden Event Center
Includes a Buffet luncheon.

Friday Speaker List:
Welcome and Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center update: David Schauer, LSMMA Board president, and Sara Summers-Luedtke, LSMVC Director, respectively.
South Pier Lighthouse History & Update: Al Finlayson, LSMMA Treasurer, and Scott Bjorklund, USACE Park Ranger.
Evolution of Theories regarding the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald: Fred Stonehouse.
Duluth Seaway Port Authority: Jayson Hron and Kate Ferguson.

Saturday Schedule:
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
Cost: $90.00 per person
Location: DECC – Harborside Convention Center
Includes an Italian buffet luncheon & a cash bar.
A reception will follow speakers at the DECC.

Saturday 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

Saturday Silent Auction:
A silent auction will run from 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM