More than 2,000 Minneapolis neighbors and visitors — some dressed in pencil-themed costumes — gathered to witness the Fourth Annual Sharpening of the Lake of the Isles Pencil.
Once a 180-year-old oak tree that fell during a storm in the East Isles front yard of Amy and John Higgins, it has been transformed into a gigantic 20-foot No. 2 pencil.
The couple turned the loss of a beloved tree into a fun, community-building landmark — now officially recognized on Google Maps.
Sculpted by wood artist Curtis Ingvoldstad, the pencil is sharpened annually with great fanfare.
But this year’s event exceeded all expectations, drawing local and national media attention along with a documentary film crew.
The festivities opened with an alphorn performance by Edina musicians Mary and Ralph Brindle, playing the 12- to 15-foot-long horns most famously associated with the Swiss Alps and Ricola commercials.
DJ Jake Rudh, a regular on The Current and founder of First Avenue’s Transmission dance party, kept the energy high with a set that included Prince favorites in honor of what would have been the Minneapolis icon’s 67th birthday.
Costumed pencils entertained the crowd with dancing, antics and even a daring pencil trust fall — because who doesn’t trust a No. 2 pencil? Lowry Hill resident and Friends of the Hennepin County Library Executive Director Beth Burns used her language skills to ask the giant pencil questions and translate its responses via a special can phone.
If you missed this year’s sharpening, don’t worry — there’s always next year.
The Pencil also makes appearances throughout the year, decked out for Halloween and lit up for the holidays.
Given the Higgins family’s creativity and generosity of spirit, next year’s sharpening promises to be another unforgettable, community-building event.
