A Celebration of the River from the River
Saturday August 9, 2025
North Mississippi Regional Park: 10 - 2 PM
Graco Park: 12 - 4 PM
Grab your paddle and join the party — Float Fest 2025 is the inaugural celebration of our river-loving community! Whether you’re kayaking the Mississippi on Paddle Share, bringing your own boat, or kicking back at Graco Park, the first ever Float Fest is your invitation to experience the river in motion and the joy of gathering riverside.
Float Fest was created to bring people together through the shared experience of paddling and celebrating the Mississippi River. Your participation supports the Paddle Share program and helps make access to the river more equitable for all.
This is just the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting tradition — and it’s also a chance to connect with the organizations that make river access and engagement possible. Float Fest is made possible through the collaboration and vision of:
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
Mississippi Park Connection
National Park Service
Three Rivers Park District
These partners are champions for the Mississippi and the communities who rely on it — and Float Fest is your invitation to learn more, get involved, and celebrate their work alongside us.
Why Float Fest?
What is Paddle Share?
Paddle Share is the Mississippi River’s self-serve kayak sharing system in the Twin Cities metro area that lets you rent a kayak and paddle to a destination downriver—it’s easy, fun, and designed for access and convenience. Our mission is to connect people to the Mississippi River through recreation and to reduce barriers to experiencing urban waterways. With locker-equipped stations and online reservations, Paddle Share makes it easy to rent a kayak, paddle downstream, and drop off your equipment – all without the need to transport or store anything yourself.
Participate in Float Fest by reserving your Paddle Share kayak today for 50 percent off regular rates! Enter Code: “FLOAT50” for 50% Off!
Reserve your kayak, bring your own boat, or just show up to celebrate. Pack a water bottle, wear your sunscreen, and get ready to float, connect, and kick off a new river tradition. We can’t wait to see you out there!
Ready to join Float Fest?
This isn’t your average float — it’s a community-powered paddle party!
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Before heading out from North Mississippi Regional Park, join a park naturalist for a peaceful and informative walk from Shingle Creek Falls to Carl Kroening Nature Center. A staff member will meet you at Carl W. Kroening Nature Center (4900 Mississippi Ct, Minneapolis, MN 55430) to start your walk.
Your walk will end at the North Miss Paddle Share station where you can pick up your kayak and begin your adventure! Guided nature walks are scheduled from: 10:00 am - 11:00 am, and 11:00 am - 12:00 pm.
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Launch anytime between 10:00 to 2:00 PM at North Mississippi Regional Park. A staff member will be present to help with getting you on the water. Follow Paddle Share signs from Carl W. Kroeing Nature Center 4900 N Mississippi Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55430.
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You will paddle Paddle Share’s City Route. Your route will take approximately 1 hour and 30 min. Your Kayak Rental will include a PFD, kayak, and paddle.
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Return kayaks to Boom Island Park (724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413) by 3:30 PM. Drop it off and our team will take care of the rest of it! Head over to Graco Park (15 8th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413) for a post event celebration!
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Highlights include:
Live music and yard games
Food trucks serving up tasty local eats
Community tabling and activities for all ages
Event will end at 4 PM.
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Participants are responsible for their own transportation back to North Mississippi Regional Park after the event. We recommend using two cars and parking one vehicle at Graco Park and drive the other one to the starting point at North Mississippi Regional Park. Other options include biking, running or using a ride sharing (uber, lyft, etc.)
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Carl W. Kroening Nature Center (Pre-Event, Informative Nature Walk, Free Parking)
4900 Mississippi Ct, Minneapolis, MN 55430Boom Island (Return Your Kayaks, Paid Parking)
724 Sibley St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413Graco Park (Post Event Party!, Handicap Parking Available, Accessible Free Street Parking)
15 8th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization will be open during Float Fest from 11 am – 3 pm. Stop by to cool off in our building, fill your water bottle, use the restroom, and stroll our grounds. There will be staff onsite to answer questions and share information about our organization and the work we do. Pull your kayak onto our beach and walk up the path. We are located on the left (east) shore just upstream of the Lowry Bridge.
BYOB
(Bring your own Boat)
BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) paddlers are enthusiastically welcome! Float Fest is a continuous river float—so shine up your boat and join the fleet!
Choose your own launch spot—we recommend using one of Paddle Share’s launch sites. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to arrive by 3 PM at Graco Park to join the fun!
Paddle the River with Paddle Share: North Mississippi to Boom Island
Launch Window: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Trip Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
Route: Paddle Share’s City Route
Kayak Return Deadline: 3:30 PM at Boom Island Park
Launch From: North Mississippi Regional Park
Take Out: Boom Island Park
Celebrate: Walk over to Graco Park for the party!
Spots are limited. Participate in Float Fest by reserving your Paddle Share kayak today for 50 percent off regular rates! Enter Code: “FLOAT50” for 50% Off!
Paddle Share
(SOLD OUT)
Questions & Answers
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Everyone is welcome at the Graco Park party.
For those renting a Paddle Share kayak: you must be 18+ to rent and paddle. Individuals under 18 must be in a tandem kayak with someone over 18.
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For those paddling from North Mississippi Regional Park to Boom Island, we suggest you bring:
Sunscreen and hat
Provisions for your time on the water. Water, snacks, bagged lunch
Change of clothes in a dry bag so you can stay and hang out at Graco Park for some post-paddle festivities
A way to keep your phone dry: a sealed bag or dry bag
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Graco Park party is fully accessible including ADA accessible restrooms.
For those launching from North Mississippi Regional Park - due to the natural terrain and conditions at the launch site, this area is not wheelchair accessible and may present challenges for individuals with mobility-related accessibility needs.
We are committed to making our events as inclusive as possible. Please contact us in advance to discuss any specific needs or accommodations.
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In case of thunderstorms or an air quality index over 150, the event will be cancelled. Otherwise, both the paddle and Graco Park party will go forward rain or shine. To receive updates on cancellations, please register for the event here.
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For those renting a kayak through Paddle Share:
Cancellations made within 72 hours of your trip will receive a credit toward a future Paddle Share adventure.
Cancellations made prior to the 72 hour window will receive a full refund.
If the event is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, full refunds will be issued.
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Questions: programs@parkconnection.org
