The amazing, shrinking Aquatennial

You hate to see slow, agonizing deaths. A speedy exit is probably the best way to go.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial would appear to be in declining health, especially with today’s announcement that the festival, celebrating the Mississippi River and the lakes, is being cut from 10 days to four, the Star Tribune reports.

But they killed off the one thing that gave the Aquatennial some pizzazz.

The milk carton boat races.

The races started in 1971 as a publicity stunt for Kemp’s.

Most of the events at Lake Calhoun have been axed in the new lineup, which an official with the Downtown Council said will not save it any money.

The sand sculpture competition? History.

Events that will continue are power yoga, a dance party, and the River Rats waterskiing team.

There will also still be a torchlight parade to start the Aquatennial and fireworks to close it.