Minneapolis Aquatennial: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Annual outdoor event in Minneapolis, USA}} |
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The '''Minneapolis Aquatennial''' is an annual event held in the [[USA|U.S.]] city of [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]], since 1940 celebrating the city's famous lakes, rivers, and streams. Its current tagline is ''The Ten Best Days of Summer''. It is held during the third full week of July and includes some 70 events, including [[sand castle]] building, [[beach volleyball]], a [[tennis]] invitational, a [[triathlon]], [[parade]]s, [[Subway (sandwich)|Subway]] Block Party and the final [[Target Stores|Target]] [[Fireworks]]. The more novel events include the annual "Milk Carton Boat Races," in which participants in various divisions race boats they have constructed from milk cartons. The fireworks display is one of the largest in the country, and is bigger than the city's [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] celebration. |
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{{Coord|44.9773|N|93.2654|W|display=title}} |
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{{context|date=July 2018}} |
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The '''Minneapolis Aquatennial''' is an annual outdoor event held in the U.S. city of [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]], during the third full week of July. Originating in 1940, overshadowing the [[Bloody Friday (Minneapolis)|teamster picnics]] "to take the minds of Minneapolis citizens off past troubles and focus all minds throughout the state on some pleasant event",<ref name=mlr>{{cite web |last1=Ahern |first1=Kelly |title=To counter annual celebration of 1934 Teamsters victory, business leaders conceived the Minneapolis Aquatennial |url=https://minneapolisunions.org/mlr2007-6-21_ahern_full.php |website=Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation |access-date=19 March 2023 |date=June 21, 2007}}</ref> the Minneapolis Aquatennial celebrates the city's famous lakes, rivers, and streams. |
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The festival's relationship with communities throughout the state is evident in the Aquatennial's Queen of the Lakes Program. Each year, 50 young women from around Minnesota are chosen by their respective communities to compete for the Queen of the Lakes and two Princess titles. These three young women then travel around the state, country, and globe to participate in festivals in [[San Antonio, Texas]], [[Macon, Georgia]], and [[Osaka, Japan]]. |
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Advertised as ''The Best Days of Summer'' the festivities initially included some 200 events over 10 days (hence Aqua-'''ten'''-ial),<ref name="mlr" /> at one point or another including the Aqua Follies, the Xcel Energy [[Sandcastle|Sand Castle]] Competition, the Tom Thumb Milk Carton Boat Races, the Ultimate Wireless Co-ed [[Beach Volleyball]] Tournament, a sailing regatta, a [[tennis]] invitational, the Life Time Fitness [[Triathlon]], many [[parade]]s, among them the Minnegasco Torchlight Parade, the Master of International Management presents Shakespeare in the Park, [[Subway (sandwich)|Subway]] Block Party and the final [[Target Stores|Target]] [[Fireworks]], one of the largest in the country, much larger than the city's [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] celebration. |
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| ⚫ | Minneapolis celebrated its [[anniversary|centennial]] in 1956 in conjunction with the Aquatennial.<ref>{{cite book|title=Minneapolis: City of Opportunity| publisher=T. S. Denison and Company| author= The Minneapolis Aquatennial Association and The Minneapolis Centennial Committee | date= 1956 | |
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==History== |
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In 1941, among the Aqua Follies was the Aqua Dears, a synchronized swimming troupe with strict height and weight limits of 5'4" and 125 lbs<ref>{{cite web |title=Aquatennial: The Ultimate Summer Block Party |url=https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/aquatennial-minneapolis/ |website=Mpls St Paul Mag |access-date=19 March 2023 |date=July 22, 2019}}</ref> |
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In 1971 the Tom Thumb Milk Carton Boat Races was conceived by advertising executives looking to drum up sales.<ref name="mlr" /> |
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| ⚫ | Minneapolis celebrated its [[anniversary|centennial]] in 1956 in conjunction with the Aquatennial.<ref>{{cite book|title=Minneapolis: City of Opportunity| publisher=T. S. Denison and Company| author= The Minneapolis Aquatennial Association and The Minneapolis Centennial Committee | date= 1956 | lccn=56-9982 | oclc=3486815}}</ref> The city's sesquicentennial was July 18–27, 2008, the year Minnesota celebrated 150 years of statehood.<ref name=sesq>{{cite web|author= |title=Minneapolis City Council Official Proceedings: Regular Meeting of July 20, 2007 (Resolution 2007R-370)|publisher=(published 28 July 2007, in Finance and Commerce)|url=http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/archives/proceedings/2007/20070720-proceedings.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-08-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624185119/http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/archives/proceedings/2007/20070720-proceedings.pdf | archive-date=June 24, 2008 | url-status=dead}} and {{cite web|title= 150 Years of Statehood| publisher= Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission| url=http://www.mn150years.org/| date= | accessdate= 2007-07-21}}</ref>{{efn|Minneapolis was recognized as a town by the state legislature in 1856, and was incorporated in 1858. The year of the sesquicentennial celebration was based on the incorporation date to align the city's celebration with the state's sesquicentennial celebration.{{r|sesq}}}} |
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The Aquatennial was cancelled from 1942 to 1945 because of [[World War II]], and in 2020 because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. |
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==Aquatennial Ambassador Organization Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program== |
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The Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program is a week-long candidate program for women ages 18–22 that is held in Minneapolis in conjunction with the Minneapolis Aquatennial every July. |
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The Queen of the Lakes and two Aquatennial Princesses are chosen to represent the festival and city of Minneapolis all over the state, nation and world. Fifty young women representing communities throughout the state of Minnesota participate in the program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aquatennialambassadors.com/ |title=Home |website=aquatennialambassadors.com}}</ref> |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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| [[Image:Happy-70th-aquatennial-minneapolis.jpg|124px]] || [[Image:Minneapolis Aquatennial-fireworks-2007.jpg|124px]] || [[Image:Minneapolis Aquatennial-sand castles-2007.jpg|124px]] || [[Image:Milk Carton Boat Race-Minneapolis-2005-07-24.jpg|112px]] || [[Image:Milk Carton Boat Race-2007.jpg|119px]] |
| [[Image:Happy-70th-aquatennial-minneapolis.jpg|124px]] || [[Image:Minneapolis Aquatennial-fireworks-2007.jpg|124px]] || [[Image:Minneapolis Aquatennial-sand castles-2007.jpg|124px]] || [[Image:Milk Carton Boat Race-Minneapolis-2005-07-24.jpg|112px]] || [[Image:Milk Carton Boat Race-2007.jpg|119px]] |
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|- style="vertical-align:top" |
|- style="vertical-align:top" |
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| style="width:110px" | Minneapolis Fireworks || style="width:110px" | Fireworks || style="width:110px" | Xcel Energy [[sand art and play|Sandcastle]] Competition, [[ |
| style="width:110px" | Minneapolis Fireworks || style="width:110px" | Fireworks || style="width:110px" | Xcel Energy [[sand art and play|Sandcastle]] Competition, [[Bde Maka Ska]] || style="width:110px" | Kemps Milk Carton Boat Race, [[Bde Maka Ska]] || style="width:110px" | Kemps Milk Carton Boat Race, [[Bde Maka Ska]] |
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==Notes== |
== Notes == |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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==Further reading== |
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* [http://historyapolis.com/blog/2014/07/21/aquatennial-festival-1940/ Historyapolis, Aquatennial Fesitival, 1940] |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{ |
{{Portal|United States}} |
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* [http://www.aquatennial. |
* [http://www.aquatennial.com/ Official Aquatennial Site] |
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* [http://www.aquatennialambassadors.com/ Aquatennial Ambassadors Site] |
* [http://www.aquatennialambassadors.com/ Aquatennial Ambassadors Site] |
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[[Category:Culture of Minneapolis]] |
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[[Category:Festivals in Minnesota]] |
[[Category:Festivals in Minnesota]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Minneapolis]] |
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{{festival-stub}} |
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{{Minnesota-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 19:20, 6 April 2023
44°58′38″N 93°15′55″W / 44.9773°N 93.2654°W
 | This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. (July 2018) |
The Minneapolis Aquatennial is an annual outdoor event held in the U.S. city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the third full week of July. Originating in 1940, overshadowing the teamster picnics "to take the minds of Minneapolis citizens off past troubles and focus all minds throughout the state on some pleasant event",[1] the Minneapolis Aquatennial celebrates the city's famous lakes, rivers, and streams.
Advertised as The Best Days of Summer the festivities initially included some 200 events over 10 days (hence Aqua-ten-ial),[1] at one point or another including the Aqua Follies, the Xcel Energy Sand Castle Competition, the Tom Thumb Milk Carton Boat Races, the Ultimate Wireless Co-ed Beach Volleyball Tournament, a sailing regatta, a tennis invitational, the Life Time Fitness Triathlon, many parades, among them the Minnegasco Torchlight Parade, the Master of International Management presents Shakespeare in the Park, Subway Block Party and the final Target Fireworks, one of the largest in the country, much larger than the city's Fourth of July celebration.
History
[edit]In 1941, among the Aqua Follies was the Aqua Dears, a synchronized swimming troupe with strict height and weight limits of 5'4" and 125 lbs[2]
In 1971 the Tom Thumb Milk Carton Boat Races was conceived by advertising executives looking to drum up sales.[1]
Minneapolis celebrated its centennial in 1956 in conjunction with the Aquatennial.[3] The city's sesquicentennial was July 18–27, 2008, the year Minnesota celebrated 150 years of statehood.[4][a]
The Aquatennial was cancelled from 1942 to 1945 because of World War II, and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aquatennial Ambassador Organization Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program
[edit]The Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program is a week-long candidate program for women ages 18–22 that is held in Minneapolis in conjunction with the Minneapolis Aquatennial every July.
The Queen of the Lakes and two Aquatennial Princesses are chosen to represent the festival and city of Minneapolis all over the state, nation and world. Fifty young women representing communities throughout the state of Minnesota participate in the program.[5]
Gallery
[edit] |
 |
 |
 |
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| Minneapolis Fireworks | Fireworks | Xcel Energy Sandcastle Competition, Bde Maka Ska | Kemps Milk Carton Boat Race, Bde Maka Ska | Kemps Milk Carton Boat Race, Bde Maka Ska |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Ahern, Kelly (June 21, 2007). "To counter annual celebration of 1934 Teamsters victory, business leaders conceived the Minneapolis Aquatennial". Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ "Aquatennial: The Ultimate Summer Block Party". Mpls St Paul Mag. July 22, 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ The Minneapolis Aquatennial Association and The Minneapolis Centennial Committee (1956). Minneapolis: City of Opportunity. T. S. Denison and Company. LCCN 56-9982. OCLC 3486815.
- ^ a b "Minneapolis City Council Official Proceedings: Regular Meeting of July 20, 2007 (Resolution 2007R-370)" (PDF). (published 28 July 2007, in Finance and Commerce). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2008. Retrieved 2007-08-12. and "150 Years of Statehood". Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
- ^ "Home". aquatennialambassadors.com.
