Inside Minneapolis’ giant pencil festival

By: Divya Thamman

Outlets: PBS News Student Reporting Labs

Published: April 22, 2026

Words: 176

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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Why does Minneapolis celebrate a giant pencil every year? In this episode of On Our Minds: Road Trip, hosts Zack and Helena head to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” to explore one of the city’s most delightfully weird traditions: the Giant Pencil Festival on Lake of the Isles. From dancing pencil costumes to a dramatic annual “sharpening” ceremony, this story highlights how creativity, humor, and community spirit turn a fallen tree into a beloved public …

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