Middlemoon Creekwalk 2018!

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, February 22nd - Saturday, February 24th, 2018.

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, February 22 - Saturday, February 24th
*** Fire Pits and Hot Cocoa on Friday night February 23 ***
(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 7 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 attempt to have it by the light of a middle moon (full moon nights get all the attention!). Here's a glimpse at the 2016 event. 

WHERE: The small stretch of creek between Lake Harriet and 49th St walking bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Rumor has it this unnamed outflow from Lake Harriet is becoming known as Middlemoon Creek!) This year, if more people bring their own ice lanterns down, we will 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.

HELP? Absolutely! We'll begin working in the area beginning around noon on Tuesday, February 20. We will be also there Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 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. Thank you to Lynnhurst neighbor Grady Hannah for coordinating the offers of help. Opportunities include:

• Making your own ice lanterns (see below)

• Moving ice and snow

• Setting up and lighting ice lanterns

• Trail maintenance

• 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 the Volunteer Coordinator, email middlemoon@wintercraft.com 


BRING ICE LANTERNS YOU HAVE MADE TO THE CREEK!

If you are 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. 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. Please be kind to other contributors by installing your lanterns at least 10-15 feet from others unless you have asked :) When? Thursday, Friday or Saturday. (Optimal locations will be marked with small pink flags).

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 Wednesday or Thursday. 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!

Thank you to Jean Grossman who has volunteered to be the Bundt Pan Queen. She will receive the bundt pan ice made by our community and will 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 "Bold North" winter is beginning to feel a bit long, so we hope the Middlemoon Creekwalk will be a wonderful transition to March and . . . springtime. On that note though, it's still winter, so it will be more enjoyable if one wears good footwear and hats and mittens!

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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