![The Twin Cities River Rats perform the Star Wars Water Ski Show on the Mississippi River between the Broadway Avenue and 8th Avenue bridges in northeast Minneapolis. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/7MXTGTRAKSZQ3WMUDEV42ED6GI.jpg?&w=1080)
Lawn chairs and blankets lined the banks of the Mississippi River in north Minneapolis last weekend as fans gathered to watch the Twin Cities River Rats perform.
The water-ski team’s hourlong “Star Wars”-themed show combined water-skiing tricks — such as barefooting and pyramids — with fanciful story lines, stellar music and bright costumes.
Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker waged a high-flying jump competition in an attempt to gain ultimate control of the river.
The River Rats shows were part of the annual Minneapolis Aquatennial festival, which celebrated “the best days of summer” for the 75th year.
