Looking for unique things to do in Minneapolis this summer? One of the most delightfully unusual Twin Cities events is returning, and yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. The Annual Sharpening of the LOTI Pencil is back, bringing music, community fun, and a giant pencil that somehow keeps getting even more iconic every year.
If you've never seen a 20-foot-tall No. 2 pencil get ceremonially sharpened in front of a cheering crowd, this might be your sign. ✏️
The LOTI Pencil, short for Lake of the Isles Pencil, is a massive 20-foot-tall pencil sculpture located near beautiful Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. The whimsical landmark was created in 2022 by Minnesota sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad, who transformed a storm-damaged 180-year-old bur oak tree into a giant yellow No. 2 pencil.
The original oak tree was heavily damaged during a major Minneapolis windstorm in 2017. Instead of removing the remaining trunk completely, homeowners chose to create something memorable for the community. The result became one of Minneapolis’ most unexpected attractions.
Each year, the pencil gets "resharpened" in a public celebration that has grown into a beloved Twin Cities tradition.
📅 Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 Location:2217 E Lake of the Isles Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55405
💲Cost: FREE admission
The event is open to the public and family-friendly.
You may be wondering: how exactly do you sharpen a 20-foot pencil?
The LOTI team uses a custom-built giant pencil sharpener created specifically for the sculpture. Each year, a small portion of the pencil is ceremonially shaved away, symbolizing the passage of time and giving the sculpture a living, evolving quality.
Past sharpening celebrations have included:
Professional pencil sharpener David Rees, often called the world's leading No. 2 pencil sharpener, is expected to oversee the sharpening festivities and add humor to the celebration. DJ Jake Rudh will also help keep the energy going throughout the event.
Minnesota has never been shy about embracing quirky traditions, and the LOTI Pencil sharpening fits perfectly alongside the Twin Cities’ creative spirit.
Lake of the Isles already attracts millions of visitors annually, and the giant pencil has quickly become one of Minneapolis’ most photographed oddities. Some visitors come every year. Others discover it while biking, walking, or exploring Minneapolis parks for the first time.
The sculpture itself represents something surprisingly meaningful.
According to project organizers, pencils symbolize curiosity, creativity, learning, and humility. Things written in pencil can evolve, improve, and change. The annual sharpening celebrates that same spirit of growth.
If you're searching for free Twin Cities events, things to do in Minneapolis this weekend, or simply something wonderfully unexpected, the Annual Sharpening of the LOTI Pencil belongs on your calendar.
Only in Minnesota can thousands of people gather around a giant pencil, celebrate it getting smaller, and somehow leave smiling.
And honestly? That's pretty sharp.
