Page 43 - Allison's Magazine ~ Issue #99
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only the Loppet Festival but also a The events geared toward local children
handful of other popular events and families are among the most
and programs. important and are closely related to the
foundation’s mission of stewardship
“Over the years, the organization and community.
has grown to include many other
initiatives,” says the foundation’s Youth athletes can compete in a number
marketing manager, Alora Jones. “At of events, such as the Minne-Loppet,
its heart, it still focuses on holding which is designed to introduce children
high-quality, large-scale events like the to cross-country skiing; the Junior
City of Lakes Loppet Festival, engaging Loppet, with divisions for ages 19
the north Minneapolis community and under; and the Loppet Age Gap
in outdoor activities, and building a Relays, a combined event for adults
community around this active lifestyle.” and kids to race together. In addition,
According to Jones, the Loppet Festival the Minnesota Youth Ski League
continues to be the driving force SuperCarnival offers a number of relay
behind the foundation, and its success and obstacle course events for kids of
helps keep its other programs running all ages.
throughout the year.
The Loppet Festival doesn’t just attract
LOPPET OR LEAVE IT skiers, though. There are many more
“ THE EVENTS GEARED TOWARD LOCAL What started with eight hundred exciting events representative of the
participants has expanded to an average
region. For example, the Captain Ken’s
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE AMONG THE MOST of 15,000 to 20,000 volunteers, Kubb Tournament—the largest winter
IMPORTANT AND ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE competitors, and spectators each year. kubb tournament in the world—
FOUNDATION’S MISSION OF STEWARDSHIP There are eight categories of events, encourages first-time players and those
AND COMMUNITY. including cross-country skiing, skijoring, experienced with the game to compete
fat-tire bicycling, and family events. head-to-head. The game brings out
40 | AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE americanlifestylemag.com | 41

