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Wintercrafters and Ice Lantern Lovers who live near the Twin Cities in Minnesota, USA, or aspire to travel to here soon, we are over the moon to announce the Middlemoon Creekwalk will be from Thursday, March 7th - Friday, March 8th, 2019.
So come down and enjoy!
Better yet, come down and join the fun!
WHAT: The Middlemoon Creekwalk - A Spontaneous Ice Luminary Lighting Along the Creek!
WHEN: Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8th
*** Fire Pits and Hot Cocoa by the 49th St. walking bridge on Friday night ***
(Thanks to the Lynnhurst Neighborhood Association)
TIME: Dusk. Candles generally stay lit until 11pm or so.
WHY: Because we love our neighborhood! AND, as the winter sun shines brighter, we generally have a range of beautiful ice lanterns of all shapes and sizes that were extras from ice luminary installations or products of ice experiments that are gloriously sun-kissed. The magic of their beauty lies in their imperfection and they all deserve a moment in the limelight.
HISTORY: About 8 years ago we spontaneously decided to add some ice lanterns to a short pathway in the woods along a little creek near our home in Minneapolis - it was Valentine's Day and we thought it would be fun if someone stumbled upon it . . . all they needed was some love in their hearts. Named "Lover's Lane" the first year, the creek lighting has now become an annual tradition . . . although the spirit is the same, the date changes each year and has always been chosen with short notice. It now is known as Middlemoon Creekwalk as we prefer to enjoy it by the light of a middle moon (full moon nights get all the attention). Although not a middle moon this year, the spirit will be the same. Here's a glimpse at the 2018 event.
WHERE: The small stretch of creek between Lake Harriet and 49th St walking bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Rumor has it this previously unnamed outflow from Lake Harriet is now known as Middlemoon Creek!) We will again try to light up the creek to 50th street! Google MAP
SHARE: Although magical as a solo stroll, the Middlemoon Creekwalk is also meant to be enjoyed with friends and neighbors. It's not an official event in any sense, rather just a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with nearby friends and celebrate the beauty of winter. Please be respectful of the nearby neighbors and other walkers who are enjoying the quiet beauty of the place.
PARKING: Due to the large amount of snow this year, the city of Minneapolis has begun WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS.
HELP? Absolutely! We'll begin working in the area beginning around noon on Tuesday, March 5th. We will be also there on Wednesday as well as Thursday and Friday from noon on until we light. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated and it's fun!
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER!
There are many ways to help in this spontaneous community event. Opportunities include:
• Making your own ice lanterns (see below)
• Moving ice
• Setting up and lighting ice lanterns
• Trail maintenance (to help keep the trail accessible)
• General errands and being a helping hand when needed!
If you would like to help, please send your name, contact info, how and when you are available to info@wintercraft.com or just stop by when we're at the creek.
NO TIME? Over the years, many people have asked if they can contribute to the Middlemoon Candle Fund. We've always considered this a gift to the community, however the reality of expenses do add up. So, this year we have decided to add a link for those who want an opportunity to help in a different way. Your contribution will help purchase candles plus offset some of the costs for. . . grit for the walkway, tool replacements, tools and supplies for volunteers, food for the volunteer appreciation party, and much more. Thank you so much for helping!
BRING ICE LANTERNS YOU'VE MADE TO THE CREEK! If you're an ice luminary maker, HORRAY! - this is the spot for you. Neighbors Mary Arneson and Dale Hammerschmidt discovered the creek walk a few years back and now bring MANY ice lanterns (plus home poured candles!). We encourage others to contribute as well. What? Any size and shape of ice lantern is welcomed, but they should be lit with candles. Bring your own candles if you have them, but we'll have extra candles and matches, so no worries. Where? Please be kind to other contributors by installing your lanterns at least 10-15 feet from others unless you have asked :) Note: Organizers reserve the right to move ice lanterns if needed. When? Thursday or Friday.
IDEA! Do you own a Bundt Pan?
If yes, fill it with water, put it out on a sidewalk or other cold spot (not in the snow), cover it with an insulating top (example: a plastic bag with some newspaper inside), and then wait at least 12 hours. Bring it inside and put it upside down in your sink and wait for it to drop out. Take the piece of shaped ice and put it in a plastic bag and keep frozen. Bring it down to the creek by the footbridge on Tuesday or Wednesday. Combined with other bundt pan shapes of ice, we can build Bundt Pan Ice Lantern Towers! One tower would be fun - many would be cool!
Or make your own Bundt Pan Ice Lanterns, see page 79 of my book Ice Luminary Magic, and bring them down to the creek.
If you would like to help make Bundt Pan Ice Lanterns, please send an email to info@wintercraft.com. Bundt Pan Ice Lantern makers will receive the bundt pan ice made by our community and prepare the ice to make stacked ice luminaries for the Bundt Pan Ice Luminary Garden.
OUR HOPE: To create a "Community Ice Lantern Garden" where people will come together to create and/or simply enjoy the glow of a winter's evening. If one is quiet enough, they may just hear the ducks or an owl.. This snowy winter is beginning to feel a bit long, so we hope the Middlemoon Creekwalk will be a wonderful transition to springtime. On that note though, it's still winter, so it will be more enjoyable if one wears good footwear and hats and mittens!
SPECIAL THANKS: To the kind people who backed the Kickstarter campaign for my book, Ice Luminary Magicand chose the reward called "MIDDLEMOON MASH-UP: Book + Candle Fund" in support of the Middlemoon Creekwalk, because candles aren't free :)
So thank you, thank you, thank you to:
Katy Lindblad
Bob & Darlene Hays
Dorothy Jordan
Sullivan Rosen Family
Joan Lane Nelson
Josh & Ann Downham
Bill Dossett
Susie & Hal Goldstein
and Kate Stanley
SUPER SPECIAL THANKS: To the Lynnhurst Neighborhood Association (especially Ruth Olson and Paul Ragazzino) for sponsoring the event and providing cookies, hot cocoa and fire pit on the Friday evening. In addition to this donation, Lynnhurst is making a generous contribution to the candle fund. Please make sure to stop by and tell them THANKS as you reconnect with Lynnhurst neighbors.
Hope to see you along the creek!
QUESTIONS /CONTACT:
Email us at info@wintercraft.com
or message via Facebook (facebook.com/wintercraft)
PS. If you take photos, we'd love to see them! Post them on our Facebook page, or just send them our way at info@wintercraft!
Enjoy the Glow!
-- Jennifer Shea Hedberg, The Ice Wrangler
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