Paula Chesley is a neighborhood volunteer. She lives in East Isles.
Holidays on Hennepin is a monthlong celebration from Nov. 28 to Jan. 1, marking the full reopening of Hennepin Avenue South after two years of road construction. I sat down with Will Stancil, vice president of the Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association and head of the Holidays on Hennepin project, to learn more.
What Is Holidays on Hennepin?
Holidays on Hennepin is a series of events, a business passport program, and lighting and decoration displays along Hennepin Avenue S. With funding and support from the city, neighborhood organizations, and private donors, businesses and organizations near the corridor are partnering to bring visitors back to Hennepin — with little to no additional overhead for them.
We’re encouraging businesses to be creative with decorations — think Red Cow’s holiday light display from previous years, but all along Hennepin. And we have a passport program. Pick up a passport at any participating business for some great deals and a chance to win prizes.
Is it just the businesses that are participating?
No, that’s the great part. Holidays on Hennepin will also activate public spaces along the corridor, such as Smith Triangle Park. Potential activities include non-denominational choruses and even a skating rink.
What inspired Holidays on Hennepin?
We’ve had several difficult years on Hennepin Avenue with business closures and road construction, and I wanted to do something for the reopening. I wanted it to be festive — I got sick of hearing people who don’t live here say, “I used to go to Uptown, but not anymore.” I wanted to show people that it’s safe here and that there are still plenty of things to do, see, eat, drink and buy.
Is Holidays on Hennepin family-friendly?
There will definitely be family-friendly events, but also, this is Uptown. We want to be inclusive. For instance, the Phoenix Theater has an age 18-plus holiday-themed show, and we want to celebrate that. It’s important that the event reflects Uptown, which has always had a bit of an alternative edge.
What’s been your favorite part of the process so far?
I love going door to door and talking with business owners. There can be initial skepticism, but once they get the idea, they start dreaming of all the things they can do. People have been so used to things being gloomy on Hennepin that it’s great to see their faces light up when they have a fun idea.
We’ve talked to almost 100 business owners, but there are still a few we haven’t reached. If there’s someone you want to take part, tell them to reach out to us.
Any special dates to keep in mind?
Dec. 6 is the scheduled opening of the E Line Bus Rapid Transit along Hennepin Avenue, so we’re encouraging people to mark that day. We want to work with Metro Transit to create fun events for the opening.
There’s been talk online of you being Santa for Holidays on Hennepin. How do we make that happen?
[Laughs] Okay, this is an exclusive announcement I’m making up on the spot — if we can raise $60,000 for Holidays on Hennepin, I’ll do it.
How can people get involved?
Businesses can join at any point throughout the event. We’re committed to including any business along or adjacent to Hennepin that wants to participate.
Our website is www.holidaysonhennepin.com — businesses can sign up there, and residents can donate or volunteer. Several businesses would appreciate help with decorating.
