Minneapolis Aquatennial is an annual event in July, hosted by mpls downtown council (mdc). It started in 1940 as a way to express pride in Minneapolis and to showcase it to people around the country. It is a yearly favorite, especially the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. It's the largest Minnesota nighttime parade, and it wends it way downtown. It includes floats, bands, and displays, and it's always an amazing spectacle. There are family fun night activities in Loring Park, which includes canoe rides, tennis, and food trucks.