As part of the 2026 Minneapolis Aquatennial, a charming new attraction is set to make waves downtown. For six days in July, the fountains at People’s Plaza between City Hall and the Hennepin County Government Center will become the Minneapolis Model Sailboat Pond, inspired by the iconic sailboats that have delighted visitors to Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens for generations.
The free, family-friendly experience will feature more than 20 colorful model sailboats gliding across the water, creating what organizers are calling Minnesota’s “10,000 lakes and one more.” Visitors can select a numbered boat, launch it into the fountain, and let the summer breeze guide it across the pond.
The Sailboat Pond opens Saturday, July 18, as part of the Minneapolis Aquatennial, which runs July 18-26 and celebrates its 87th year in 2026. Whether you’re racing a boat, cheering from the fountain’s edge, or simply enjoying a summer afternoon downtown, this whimsical new addition is poised to become one of the festival’s most memorable attractions.
