A quick guide to Mpls Loppet events this weekend

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The City of Lakes Loppet will the be the big event in Minneapolis this weekend. Cross-country skiing will be the main activity, but snow sculptures, bike races and parties are also on the agenda.

One of the more visually interesting events will be the Luminary Loppet on Saturday night at Lake of the Isles. You can read or listen to MPR's Jim Bickal interviewing the guy who designs the luminaries and ice sculptures for the event here.

The entire event list is on the loppet website, but here's some of the highlights:

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Saturday:

_ Snow sculpture contest on the Uptown Mall, all day

_ Bike race on short track of ice on Lake of the Isles, 12:30 p.m.

_ Skijoring (dogs pulling skiers) race on Lake of the Isles, 1:30 p.m.

_ Kids ski events on Lake of the Isles, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

_ Sprint finals in the heart of Uptown, 4:30 p.m.

_ Luminary Loppet on a lit-up Lake of the Isles, 6-9 p.m.

Sunday:

_ Hoigaard's Classic 25K race starting at Theodore Wirth Park and finishing in Uptown, 9:20 a.m. start

_ City of Lakes Freestyle Loppet, a 33K urban ski race, 10:30 am. start

_ 14K Skijoring Loppet at Theodore Wirth Park, 1 p.m.

_ Awards ceremony at the top of the Uptown Mall, 2:30 p.m.