One of the perks of living at Cedars is having some of Edina’s best parks, events and outdoor spaces close to home. Centennial Lakes Park is conveniently located within walking distance of Cedars, making events like the annual Lighthouse Night and Torchlight Concert an easy way to get out and enjoy a summer evening in the neighborhood.
This past Sunday, Centennial Lakes stepped back in time for an evening of old-fashioned entertainment, music, and fun!
A Little Throwback Fun
Lighthouse Night celebrates entertainment from another era, with attractions inspired by the late 1800s and early 1900s. Throughout the park, visitors could check out vintage Model T Fords, watch a sleight-of-hand magician, see a mechanical man and hear music from an old-fashioned band organ.
There were even penny-farthing bicycles, the unmistakable vintage bikes with an enormous front wheel, for everyone to marvel at.
Judging by the crowd, one of the night's biggest attractions was also one of the simplest: 25-cent ice cream cones. The line got impressively long, but judging by the smiling, ice cream covered faces, the cool treat was well worth the wait.
Members of the Edina Model Yacht Club also had their remote-controlled boats out on the water, adding a touch of whimsy to a beautiful summer evening around the lake.
Music on the waterfront
The evening eventually led to the main attraction: the Torchlight Concert performed by the First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band.
The Minnesota-based concert band has been performing since 1970 and brings together a 45-person ensemble with an enthusiastic local following. The concert was fun, lively and a perfect fit for an event built around summertime nostalgia.
Centennial Lakes After Dark
The fun and festivities continued past sunset, and the setting became especially beautiful once darkness arrived.
As the sky grew darker and lanterns were lit on the water, Centennial Lakes took on an entirely different atmosphere. The lights reflecting across the lake created a beautiful backdrop for the concert and made it worth sticking around as evening turned to night.
The event had exactly the kind of relaxed community atmosphere that makes summer events in Edina so enjoyable.
Summer in Edina, just a walk away…
Lighthouse Night and the Torchlight Concert turned out to be a great Edina summer event: a little quirky, a little nostalgic, and a lot of fun.
Having Centennial Lakes Park within walking distance of Cedars takes the stress and hassle of driving and finding a place to park out of the equation. Whether it's a special event, a concert, a walk around the lake, or simply an excuse to spend some time outside, it's a wonderful neighborhood amenity to have so close to home.
