Mark your calendar for the 2024 Aquatennial Torchlight Parade on July 24, 2024. Enjoy great floats and performances at this signature Aquatennial event. We can’t wait to gather together for another fantastic evening in the heart of downtown as we kick off the 2024 Aquatennial.

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Come early and find your spot along Nicollet Mall from 12th to 4th Streets. The emcee stand will be located at 11th and Nicollet, where K102’s Chris Carr & Company will be announcing all the parade units as they go by.

2024 Grand Marshals: Celebrating the Walter Cup Champion Minnesota PWHL Team

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In recognition of the Walter Cup Champion Minnesota PWHL Team, the Aquatennial is honored to host two phenomenal members of the Minnesota PWHL team as our 2024 Aquatennial Torchlight Parade Grand Marshals. Click Here for more information on this year’s Grand Marshals.

Goalie Nicole Hensley: Nicole Hensley was the first goaltender selected in the inaugural PWHL Draft and brings a wealth of experience between the pipes with the U.S. National Women’s Team. Her international success includes Olympic gold in 2018 and silver in 2022, plus five medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship counting three gold and two silver. The 29-year-old from Lakewood, Colo., played collegiately at Lindenwood University. She went 7-6-1 with a 2.19 goals against average and .919 save percentage with PWHL Minnesota last year.

Defender Lee Stecklein: Lee Stecklein is a Roseville native who played at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Whitecaps. A fixture on the Team USA blue line since joining the U18 program in 2010, she is a three-time Olympic medalist (1 gold, 2 silver) and 8-time World Championships medalist (6 gold, 2 silver). She also won three national championships with the Gophers. Last year, she scored two goals and six assists with PWHL Minnesota and added three assists in the postseason.

We are excited to celebrate the Minnesota PWHL at this year’s Aquatennial Torchlight Parade!

Parking

We are excited for you to join us at the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade. Note that 12th Street (between Marquette and Nicollet) and Nicollet (from 12th to 4th Streets) close to traffic by 6:30 pm, and through traffic leading up to and during the parade will be available at 10th, 7th, 6th and 5th Streets. Recommended parking for the event includes:

  • 1111 S. Marquette Parking Ramp (1111 Marquette Avenue South)
  • 710 Marquette Avenue S. Garage (710 S. Marquette Ave.)
  • City Center Ramp (10 S. 7th Street)
  • Leamington Ramp (1001 2nd Avenue South)

    • Take Metro Transit

    Take Metro Transit to the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade. Click Here to plan your trip. And click the link below to download your free ride pass. This pass will be valid from 4 pm – midnight on Wednesday, July 24. Print your pass and use it on Metro Transit buses or light rail.

    ABOUT THE TORCHLIGHT PARADE

    The Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade has been a longstanding Aquatennial tradition. As a flagship Aquatennial event, the parade continues to grow. The Torchlight Parade is the largest nighttime parade in Minnesota.