Via the City of Stillwater, Minnesota:
Events Postponed Indefinitely
The Lift & Loop Celebration has been cancelled for now to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The highly anticipated re-opening of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge and the completion of the Loop Trail will kick off with a two-day Grand Opening celebration on May 15 and 16, 2020, on the St. Croix Riverfront, Lowell Park.
What will be officially called the Loop Trail is the 4.7 loop trail system that connects the historic Lift Bridge with the St. Croix River Crossing Bridge. The Lift Bridge has been closed for repairs since August 2017. On May 16th, the Loop Trail will be open for bike traffic and pedestrians.
This historic Celebration is sponsored by the City of Stillwater, in collaboration with the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Washington County, as well as partnering efforts with community members from various cities in the area including Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Hudson, WI., New Richmond, WI. Somerset, WI, St. Joseph Township, WI, St. Croix County, Washington County and numerous civic clubs, organizations and businesses.
The two-day celebration event will begin on Friday, May 15th with a spaghetti dinner on the lift bridge, weather permitting, or on Chestnut Street with two separate seating times. Elected Officials and volunteers will be serving the dinner.
Reservations are required and your ticket will provide a donation to the St. Croix River Association. Participants will receive a commentary mug and a ticket to the dinner.
A beer garden will open at 3 pm next to the Lift Bridge with the Tim Sigler Band playing from 6 pm – 10 pm.
The following day, Saturday, May 16th, the public is welcome to a pancake breakfast under the tent in Lowell Park from 7:30 am – 10:00 am sponsored by the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Next, an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 10:00 am with dignitaries from both the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin to celebrate the re-opening of the Lift Bridge and shared loop trail between two states, two historic bridges and the beautiful St. Croix River. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is brought to you by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
A highlight of the 2-day celebration event will be the Hands Across the Croix, an effort to set a NEW world record by connecting 7,000 people, holding wrists across the 4.7-mile Loop Trail that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin via the Stillwater Lift Bridge and the new St. Croix River bridge. This will take place at 11:00 on May 16th. This event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to participate.
Registration will be REQUIRED – Sign up available soon via the Stillwater Chamber website. The celebration will continue downtown Stillwater with live music, a beer garden and specials at local establishments and will conclude at 5 pm. The state of Wisconsin will also be hosting activities and family fun entertainment.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm around this celebration event”, said Stillwater City Council member Mike Polehna. “This is a regional event, It’s more than just a Stillwater thing. We’re working together to bring the two states together.”
Spread the word and help promote #liftandloop2020.
For more information contact the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, (651) 439-4001
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5 responses to “Stillwater announces Lift Bridge re-opening celebration schedule”
This sounds exciting, a great community event.
How disappointing that it’s already sold out. How many tix were there?
Sold out, when did ticket sales start and where was this posted?
Yep, turn WI into Mn playground- how would you all feel if tables were reversed?
Be honest with yourselves!
How about skipping the hoopla and just open it…. the community needs more outside options now more than ever.