Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A shorter than usual Minneapolis Aquatennial starts Wednesday with a torchlight parade on Hennepin Avenue. The festival will close out on Saturday night with fireworks over the Mississippi River. 

Full list of events

The Minneapolis Downtown Council, which organizes the festival, decided this year to shorten it from 10 days to four. Organizers also eliminated some traditional events like the Milk Carton Boat Races. 


The changes came because the festival competes for people's time against many more summer events. A Minneapolis Downtown Council spokesperson told MPR News when the changes were announced in May that it was 

no longer realistic to ask families to set aside two weekends


The 2015 Minneapolis Aquatennial takes place from July 22-25. The Twin Cities River Rats Ski Show will be held on the Mississippi River Thursday evening. Other planned events include yoga, a fundraising race for the Salvation Army's food and housing programs and a number of neighborhood festivals. The festival's closing fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. on Saturday. 

This will be the 75th annual Minneapolis Aquatennial. The Minneapolis Downtown Council acquired the festival in 2002 as it was facing budget challenges.

Arts and Culture

Minnesota News

Twin Cities News

Jon Collins

Author

Organizers decided this year to shorten the festival from 10 days to four. They also eliminated some traditional events like the Milk Carton Boat Races.

Shorter Minneapolis Aquatennial begins with torchlight parade

Go Deeper.

Like this?