BY THE POWDERHORN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
For 123 years, Minneapolis has celebrated the Fourth of July at Powderhorn Park. Over the decades the event has reinvented itself to reflect the changes in our community and 2014 marks another transformation.
Working with our longtime partner, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, PPNA’s Board of Directors voted in March to continue to co-host a daytime event on the Fourth of July at Powderhorn Park. Although the nature of the event has changed, as there will not be a fireworks display, the pride and joy inherent in the spirit of the Fourth of July remains unchanged. PPNA and the MPRB are committed to reimagining this event for future generations in a way which best fits our dynamic and ever-changing community.
Celebrating Our Independ-ence will feature a daylong lineup of extraordinary local talent, family-friendly activities and vendors of delicious food. Our programming will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Fourth and park visitors are welcome to stay in the park well after the program to celebrate with family and friends. At the park you will find canoeing, badminton, croquet, bocce ball, children’s arts and crafts, face painting and a bouncy castle.
Live Local Music Lineup
11:30 a.m. – KalPulli KetzalCoatlique (Aztec Dancing)
12:30 p.m. – IdeaWerks Powderhorn Studio
1:30 p.m. – Greg Herriges and Troy Berg (whirled music)
2:30 p.m. – Alma Andina (Contemporary Infused South American Folk)
The community-led Fourth of July Planning Committee has lined up a great celebration and we want to thank our many residents, local businesses and organizations that are financially supporting Celebrating Our Independence!
The MPRB is also hosting the downtown Red, White and Boom celebration on July 4, 2014, which includes a half marathon and live music, and culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over the Mississippi River. The fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. and will be shot off from Water Power Park. Like the Powderhorn Park event, Red, White and Boom fireworks are funded by private donations.
The two Fourth of July events in Minneapolis attract tens of thousands of attendees to the riverfront and Powderhorn Park. Based on the size of the crowds and the number of police officers available on the holiday, the MPBR determined that it is no longer feasible to host two fireworks events on the same day. With the new programming changes, park police will be on hand throughout the day and evening at Powderhorn Park. Spend the day with family and friends at Powderhorn Park and head to Red, White and Boom to catch top-notch fireworks.
We are looking forward to the Fourth of July at Powderhorn Park and co-creating a new community-oriented tradition honoring the beauty of our park, our neighborhood and our independence!
