In 2002, Minneapolis community members came together to form the unofficial Loppet Foundation. They organized the first Loppet ski race, and the following year the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation was created. By 2005, the Loppet Foundation was official, operating as a non-profit. A few years later, the Luminary Loppet was born: an exciting experience that includes a ski race, luminary installations, fire dancers, live bands, and ice sculptures. Now, tens of thousands of people annually venture to the chain of lakes to see this amazing get-together.
According to their website, the Luminary Loppet is the biggest annual fundraiser of the Loppet Foundation, an organization that has dedicated itself to “connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community.” Beyond the Luminary Loppet, the foundation’s programs include the Junior Loppet—geared toward middle school students with the intent of empowering through outdoor activity—and the Minne-Loppet—a similar program for elementary schoolers that takes place during the school day on school grounds. The programs are aimed towards schools where the majority of students qualify for free and reduced lunch, in line with the foundation’s values of inclusion, wellbeing, and collaboration.
Gerhard Riautschnig, the owner of Bratwerks, a food stand featured at the Luminary Loppet, looks forward to this event every year, and encourages organizers to “keep doing it.” Many enjoy the Luminary Loppet for its social aspects, as it is a way for family and friends to get together and enjoy the sights. Riautschnig states that “the most memorable part [is] to see the fun [that] families [have] there.” Ashley Vergin, ‘28, says that her favorite part of the Luminary Loppet was “walking around with all the lights above with [my friend] Maddie Popehn and my Aunt and Uncle.” The lights she is referring to are the 1,600+ hanging, ice sculpted lanterns that can be seen on the lake. These lanterns take weeks to assemble, creating a stellar display that would make a trip into the city worthwhile.
