The Luminary Loppet, this year on February 3, has become one of the highlights of our legendary long winters, now less long and sadly snow-free.
For one magical night thousands of people bundle up in multiple layers of clothing and ski — or waddle — out onto Lake of the Isles to experience the wonder of fire and ice.
A ski trail lit by 1,400 ice luminaries loops the lake like a string of pearls on dark ice. Luminary Lane is made up of 800 teardrop ice lanterns suspended overhead and swaying in the wind. The Enchanted Forest is a small point of land illuminated by tiny votives hung in the branches over an array of ice sculptures, frozen into mush- rooms or other fantastical forms, all lit by candles from within.
There are larger showstoppers like Icecropolis, Ice Henge and the Ice Pyramid, not to mention fire dancers, ice bands and bonfires. And, at the south end of the lake, a beer garden with live music, if you’re of age and inclination.
All of this depends on an army of volunteers. The Luminary Loppet is the brainchild of several Hill & Lake neighbors who over the years have developed Rube Goldberg contraptions to fill those 1,400 luminary buckets and 800 teardrop balloons efficiently, and figured out the science of freezing water so that all the forms remain hollow in the inside for candles.
We’ll profile those generous geniuses in a future issue of the Hill & Lake Press.
These are photos of the hardy volunteers who turn out weeks in advance to help make it all happen. From those who build and fill the large forms, to the bucket and balloon brigades who assemble at dark and make short work of their icy task, it’s community at its best. The camaraderie and creativity of the whole operation warms the heart, even as the fingertips freeze.
To experience the Luminary Loppet please register at www.loppet.org. Please note that a tenday stretch of sub-zero temps has resulted in lake ice that is thick and safe, but the thaw that followed may result in a few changes to some icy elements planned around the lake. But nothing can change the spirit or the beauty of this magical night under a dark city sky.
