First Night of Aquatennial Brings Centerpoint Torchlight Parade

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Downtown, July 22, 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Provided by Minneapolis Downtown Council (Photos courtesy of MDC)

The CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade is Wednesday, July 22 from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. As one of the biggest and brightest parades in the state and a Minneapolis Aquatennial flagship event, this one-of-a-kind display will light up Downtown Minneapolis with a procession of bands and entertainment units marching down Hennepin Avenue.

This year’s parade marks the fifteenth consecutive year that CenterPoint Energy has taken part in the Aquatennial festivities and sponsored the Torchlight Parade.

This year’s parade will feature one of Minnesota’s most recognizable sports personalities, Mark Rosen of WCCO-TV, serving as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Rosen joined WCCO as a high school junior at St. Louis Park Senior High and was hired on full-time while attending the University of Minnesota. He anchors the 5 pm, 6 pm and 10 pm weekday sportscasts and hosts Rosen’s Sports Sunday.

The Aquatennial has partnered with the City of Minneapolis to bring Tap Minneapolis water fountains to the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. These water stations will be available on both sides of Hennepin Avenue at the intersections of 6th Street, 9th Street and Spruce Place/Laurel Avenue. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to the event and utilize the many fountains along the parade route for refills. CenterPoint Energy will also be handing out reusable water bottles to lucky parade-goers, as well as giving away hoop toys to the first 2,000 parade-goers who stop by 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th streets along the route following the parade.

The parade will feature CenterPoint Energy’s Buddy Blue Flame, marching bands, Minneapolis Aqua Jesters and more. K102 returns again this year to emcee the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade featuring their new morning show, Chris Carr & Company.

“We are excited to be kicking off this year’s Aquatennial on Wednesday with the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. This nighttime parade draws thousands to Hennepin Avenue and it’s truly spectacular to see so many enjoying the evening in downtown Minneapolis,” Aquatennial Festival Director Leah Wong said. “As part of the Aquatennial tradition, it’s great to have long-standing partners that support this civic event, such as CenterPoint Energy who has been the title sponsor of the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade for fifteen consecutive years.”

Aquatennial’s Loring Park Family Fun Night

The Aquatennial’s Loring Park Family Fun Night is 5 pm to 7:30 pm and features pony rides, inflatables, canoe rides, a kids’ dance, carnival games, Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur Canoe Rides and more.

Life Time Torchlight 5K

Following Loring Park Family Fun Night will be the Life Time Torchlight 5K. You can watch thousands of runners take off down Hennepin Avenue beginning at 7:30 pm.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial

The Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis offers outstanding entertainment and activities in the City of Lakes for all ages. It is managed and produced by the Minneapolis Downtown Council. The festival is sponsored by Target, CenterPoint Energy, U.S. Bank, Zeus Jones, Life Time Fitness, Xcel Energy, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota Twins, Minneapolis Recycles, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, K102, Go 96.3 and Which Wich. For more information, please visit Aquatennial.com or call 612.376.7669.

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