Hopkins in Motion
A community-wide event full of energy and invigorating activities
NEXT YEAR'S EVENT:
September 11, 2010
Check back this summer for new information, read last year's event information below!
What is Bouja?
According to the Hopkins Historical Society, bouja was made in Hopkins during the 1940s by the Czech population at the annual Harvest Festival. The Festival was a revival of the Czechoslovak custom to celebrate the end of the growing season and the work that accompanied the fall harvest. Villagers would don their favorite costumes, then form a parade and follow a decorated harvest wagon to a local farm to eat, dance and give thanks for the harvest.
Although the vendors at Hopkins Farmers Market will not be donning costumes, they will be donating their harvest produce, including corn, tomatoes, green beans, carrots, onions and cabbage. Those vegetables will be added to a rich meat base of beef and chicken, then slow cooked for hours at Hopkins Elks Lodge, resulting in a rich, stew- like soup. Nelson’s Meats in Hopkins donated meats, making this Bouja a true community effort.
Events By Location
Clocktower Plaza
- Farmers’ Market, open until 2 pm and serving delicious, hearty Bouja soup!
- Self-guided Passport Walks organized by the Hopkins Activity Center
- Downtown Historical Walking Tours led by the Historical Society
The Depot Trailhead
- Hopkins/Minnetonka Recreation Services
- Three Rivers Park District with information about the trails
- Freewheel Bike
- Nordic Walking Pole Demonstrations from Hoigaards
- Face painting
Downtown Park
- Family Zumba® demonstrations by YMCA Ridgedale (9:30 am)
- Latin Caribbean dance demonstrations with Manny Rubio (10 am)
- Drums Alive, presented by YMCA Ridgedale (11:30 am)
- Live music in the Bandshell
and elsewhere:
- Bike Corral, Vail Place (15 9th Ave S)—Keep your bike safe while you walk around.
- Bike Rodeo, north of Elks Lodge (30 8th Ave S)—Have your bike & helmet inspected and learn safe riding skills.
- LA Fitness “In Motion” Bike Ride
- Vendor booths along 9th Ave
- “In Motion” Community Parade, corner of 8th & Mainstreet, west on Mainstreet to 10th, south back to Downtown Park (12 pm). Open to everyone—bicyclists, trikers, walkers, roller bladers, and those in wheelchairs—a fun event designed to get everyone moving!
- Ribbon Cutting at Rotary Oasis trailhead, 9th & 1st St N (2 pm)
Tentative Schedule of Events
7:30 am
- Farmers Market opens
8:30 am
- LA Fitness Bike Ride registration at St Louis Park location for ride to LA Fitness Hopkins
9 am
- Trail/Depot—Hopkins /Minnetonka Recreation information; Freewheel Bike; Three Rivers information; Hoigaards' Nordic Walking Pole demonstration
- Downtown—Bike Rodeo opens north of Elks Lodge at 30 8th Avenue South (9 – 11:45); Bike Corral opens at Vail Place, 15 9th Avenue South (9 am – 2 pm); Vendor Booths open (9 am – 2 pm)
9:30 am
- Downtown Park Bandshell—Family Zumba, presented by YMCA Ridgedale
10 am
- Downtown Clock Tower—Hopkins Activity Center Self-guided Passport Walks, prizes for completion
- Downtown Park Bandshell—Dance Demonstration with Manny Rubio – Dance Instructor of Genuine Latin Caribbean dance (half hour)
- Farmers Market – Bouja sales begin
11 am
- Downtown Clock Tower—Hopkins Historical Society's Downtown Historical Guided Tours begin
11:30 am
- Downtown Park Bandshell—Drums Alive, presented by YMCA Ridgedale
12:00 noon
- “In Motion” Community Parade – will leave from the corner of 8th and Mainstreet, proceed west on Mainstreet to 10th, turn south and return to Downtown Park. Everyone invited to walk, bike, roller-blade, hop, or dance down Historic Mainstreet. Parade to be led by Mouldy Figs Jazz Band.
12:30 pm
- Downtown Park Bandshell — Mouldy Figs Jazz Band in Concert
2 pm
- Rotary Oasis (9th Ave & 1st St N) — Join Hopkins Rotary for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Oasis, a Rotary project located at 9th Avenue and First Street North.
