New Course Description

The 2012 Park Nicollet Luminary Loppet will be a strictly hiking event. The new course starts and finishes in the lower stadium area at Theodore Wirth Park (near the Par-3 clubhouse). The trail takes participants through the Twin Lake/Back-40 area before returning to the lower stadium area and the Loppet Tent Village. The trail is about 2.5 kilometers or 1.5 miles in length. Features include over one thousand luminaries lighting the way, cocoa stations, the Ice Pyramid, the enchanted forest, fire dancers, maple leaf cookies from Canada, and, for adults, a ten ounce sample of Surly beer (Surly only available to those with a photo ID). Like always, participants go at their designated time: 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 or 8.

Transportation and Parking

Wirth Parkway will be closed to traffic from Golden Valley Road/Duluth Street to Highway 55. All participants will need to take a short shuttle from nearby parking lots. Parking will be at Mortenson Construction (northwest corner of 55 and Wirth Parkway) or the Optum Health parking lot (north side of Highway 55 – west of Highway 100). The Mortenson parking lot is expected to fill first. If that lot is full, please proceed to the Optum Health parking lot. The shuttle should not take no more than 20 minutes, but please allow extra time to shuttle, register and pick up packets.

Note that for those parking at the Mortenson site, it will be possible to walk directly to the event without taking a shuttle bus. Proceed to the rear of the Humane Society parking lot (north of the Mortenson lot) and follow the luminaries out to Wirth Parkway.

Registration and Packet Pickup – 6pm Start Sold Out

Buses will drop people at the main parking lot (Chalet). Luminary Loppet participants can proceed to the lower stadium/Loppet tent village area by walking along the walking/bike path toward the south or west. Luminary Loppet registration and packet pickup will take place in a tent in the Loppet Tent Village area. Pre-registered participants will need to show either their printed barcode “ticket” (which will be emailed to participants later this week) or a photo ID. Everyone else can register on-site in the Luminary Loppet registration tent. All participants must wear their Park Nicollet glow stick. The glow stick also entitles participants to attend the Post-Luminary Party in the main Loppet Tent.

Post-Luminary Party

All Luminary Loppet participants are welcome to attend the Post-Luminary Party by showing their Park Nicollet glow stick.  The party features live music, dancing, the Surly beer garden and light snacks.  Entry for all others is $10 at the door.

Course Map

FAQ

• Why not run the Park Nicollet Luminary Loppet on the Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop? The Luminary Loppet is designed for anyone – from young to old, from beginner to advanced. The Hap Lutter Loop is just too challenging. In addition, the Twin Lake area, where the Luminary Loppet will happen, is quieter and more picturesque.
• Do I need to register for the Luminary Loppet? Yes. All participants must be wearing a Park Nicollet glow stick to identify them as part of the event. The Post-Luminary Party is also for Luminary Loppet participants only. All others must pay $10 admission at the door.
• Are there actually going to be luminaries this year? Of course! 1,000+ ice luminaries, the Ice Pyramid, the enchanted forest, fire dancers, cocoa stations, Maple Leaf cookies from Canada, 10 oz. Surly beer for adult participants. It’s all here!