Aquatennial festivities begin Wednesday night, police plan to beef up presence

The annual Minneapolis Aquatennial Celebration returns Wednesday night with the Torchlight Parade after two years of scaled-back activities.

Now, officials are making sure the public will be safe at the full-scale event.

A lot of planning has gone into this, with several law enforcement agencies – including the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Transit Police and Minneapolis Park Police – working together to come up with a plan to keep everyone safe.

Squads will be out, as well as bike patrols and K-9 units to beef up police presence this year.

Police say they want to make sure people have fun safely because there is a lot to enjoy.

RELATED: 2022 Minneapolis Aquatennial schedule announced

Some of the events include movies in the park at The Commons Wednesday night following the parade.

The parade starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs along Nicollet Mall from 12th Street to Fourth Street.

RELATED: Aquatennial picks 6 women as parade grand marshals

Thursday, there will be music followed by the Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Water Ski show on the Mississippi River.

Friday, there will be a free alchemy fitness class at the Sculpture Garden.

Volunteers are still needed. CLICK HERE to learn more about volunteering at Aquatennial.