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 | 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.
- ^ a b 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.