Raindrops ceased just before 6:30 p.m. The show would go on for Twiggy.
About 50 people circled a knee-high, heated pool. Fingers unlocked phones and switched cameras to video mode. The anticipation mounted. Not every day does a water-skiing squirrel showcase its talents under a lifejacket.
That's how the X Games officially kicked off Thursday night in the plaza in front of U.S. Bank Stadium. Rain and ominous clouds didn't deter modest crowds enticed by games, prizes, and eventually the Skateboard and BMX Vert finals during a carnivallike "X Fest."
Eric Scott, his wife M.J. and their four children arrived from Eagan to find themselves attending Twiggy's water-skiing farewell tour. That's right. After 39 years, owner Lou Ann Best and her trusty sidekick squirrels are calling it a career upon the X Games' conclusion Sunday afternoon. Their final shows will be outside U.S. Bank Stadium through this weekend.
The Scotts took it as a consolation prize.
"We were hoping to see some skateboarding," Eric said.
Skateboarder Jimmy Wilkins took gold in the vert competition around 10:30 p.m. Then Dennis McCoy, 51, became the oldest BMX rider to land a 900 in competition. Australian Vince Byron won his third gold in BMX vert just before midnight, well past the Scott children's bedtimes.
Since the 5 p.m. skateboard qualifier was moved up to Wednesday because of weather concerns, Twiggy became their main attraction. The free games and T-shirt prizes helped make the trip worthwhile.