An Aquatennial first: Torchlight parade canceled due to potential for severe weather

The Aquatennial has canceled the Torchlight parade set for Wednesday evening, citing the risk for severe weather in the Twin Cities and across central and southern Minnesota.

It’s believed to be the first time the long-running parade, featuring scores of bands, floats and civic and nonprofit organizations, has been called off, said Adam Duininck, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, which puts on the Aquatennial.

“It’s an unfortunate first,” Duininck said. “Sometimes you can’t control things.”

A heat advisory issued for the Twin Cities was canceled but declared instead for southeastern Minnesota, including Rochester and Mankato. Conditions were ripe for storms to bring damaging winds, the National Weather Service said. Large hail was possible, too, in an area from Mora southwest to Worthington and including the metro area, St. Cloud, Mankato, Rochester and Albert Lea, the Weather Service added.

An urban flooding warning was issued for Hennepin and Ramsey counties until mid-afternoon, owing to thunderstorms with heavy rain. The Weather Service said runoff would cause flooding of small creeks and streams, streets and underpasses.

Adding to weather concerns was an air quality alert issued Wednesday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for western and east-central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. The alert was to begin at midnight Thursday and run until 11 p.m. Friday, prompted by a band of heavy smoke from wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

After consulting with weather experts, Duininck said, it was the right decision to call off the parade, which was set to start at 7:30 p.m. on Nicollet Mall.

Logistical challenges such as closing Nicollet Mall and securing enough law enforcement to provide security made moving it to Thursday too difficult, Duininck said.

“We are deeply grateful for the time, effort and enthusiasm of all those involved in bringing this beloved tradition to life, and we share in the disappointment of this outcome,” he said.

The weather has also affected other Aquatennial-related events. The Loring Park Family Fun Night before the parade was canceled, and the Parks Movie Night Wicked sing-along event planned for after the parade was postponed until Sept. 4.

The first Aquatennial was celebrated in 1940. The water-themed fete once was called “the 10 Best Days of Summer” and featured nearly 200 events, including milk carton boat races, sand castle building competitions, block parties and the Aqua Follies.

The festival was reduced to four days in the 2000s after the organization running it had financial difficulties and the Downtown Council took it over.