Popular floating sculpture will take off this summer as go-anywhere printable in #MinneVacation social media campaign
Minneapolis, Minn. – With the passing of Memorial Day it’s unofficially summer in Minnesota, and like thousands of Minneapolitans, Minne the Lake Creature (named _[ by her creator, Cameron Gainer) is taking a well-deserved holiday. For the first time since her debut in 2009, the Lake Creature will not be making an appearance in a Minneapolis lake this summer. While the Lake Creature is temporarily land-locked, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation is inviting the community to go on the first-ever “Minne vacation” by packing a free Lake Creature printable when they travel and sharing photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #MinneVacation and #_[.
Minne the Lake Creature is a 20-foot floating sculpture that resembles the famous “Surgeon’s photo” of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. During her six marine years in Minneapolis, Minne has become synonymous with summer for many of the city’s residents and visitors and developed a strong presence on Twitter and Facebook, with nearly 7,000 fans and followers combined.
Also over the course of six years, Minne has accumulated normal wear and tear, like fading and cracking, a condition accelerated in 2015. Constructed of aircraft-grade fiberglass and aluminum and finished with marine-quality paint, the sculpture is both sturdy and durable, though repair is needed and the Lake Creature will stay land-locked in 2016. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is consulting with the artist and professional conservators on reconditioning the sculpture for an anticipated 2017 re-launch.
“The ‘Minne vacation’ idea means that her fans can continue to fly the Lake Creature flag as we work to make her ship-shape again,” says Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “We’re proud that the Lake Creature is such a delight to young and old. With Minne vacation, we hope to sustain her whimsical inspiration, while expanding Minne’s horizons and encouraging families to explore the wonders of nature, near and far.”
#MinneVacation How-to
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation has created a free black-and-white printable of Minne that travelers can take along on their adventures. Completing the project takes only a few basic supplies: Crayons or markers, craft (Popsicle) sticks, tape, scissors, and a child’s sense of play.
The Minne printable is available on the MPF website and pre-printed patterns, along with craft sticks and other supplies, will also be available at MPF booths at the following events: Get Outdoors Day, June 11; Stone Arch Bridge Festival, June 17-19; PopUp Dinner Twin Cities, early August; and the Wilco riverfront concert, August 20.
School groups and summer programs interested in participating are welcome to email MPF about getting multiples of Minne.
Minne fans who are on social media are encouraged to tag their snaps with the location and #MinneVacation or #_[ when they share on Facebook (@LakeCreature, @MplsParksFoundation), Twitter (@LakeCreature, @MplsParksFndtn), and Instagram (@MplsParksFoundation).
About the Minneapolis Parks Foundation
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit that brings visionary leadership, philanthropic investment and private sector expertise to support innovation and equity throughout the Minneapolis park system. It co-leads the RiverFirst Initiative with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and is responsible for private fundraising and implementation of the Water Works and 26th Ave N to Ole Olson projects. MPF supports innovative Minneapolis parks projects through equity funding and champions world-class design through its Next Generation of Parks™ Lecture Series. Get involved at MplsParksFoundation.org.
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