The Eden Prairie Senior Center's annual Garden Party celebrated the summer season near its gardens and Pioneer Park. Photos by Jeremy Peyer
The Eden Prairie Senior Center held its annual Garden Party in late June, complete with minnow racing.
Arlene Cohen celebrates as her winning minnow crosses the finish line.
It was the third year for minnow racing at the event, which has been held for at least 16 years. Participants used blue spoons donated by Culver’s to get the tiny fishes going in their watery racecourses. Culver’s restaurant also donated frozen custard for the event’s refreshments.
Josh Rockey, a recreation specialist with the City of Eden Prairie who served as the event announcer, said 95 people pre-registered, with over 100 attending the actual event.
The Garden Party was held at the Senior Center Gardens, located behind the Senior Center building at 8950 Eden Prairie Road, adjacent to Pioneer Park. The little-known park, tucked behind the Senior Center’s rear parking lot, has great spillover potential for the Garden Party and other events, Rockey said.
Members of the Eden Prairie Community Band Wind Ensemble, known as the Prairie Winds, perform for partygoers. From left: Beth Hulteng, Cheryl Sykora, Joanne Bartel, and Katie Geske.
Officer Juliette Glynn of the Eden Prairie Police Department, who serves as the department’s senior liaison, was in attendance at the event. One participant was heard to comment in her hearing, “I hope (minnow racing) isn’t illegal.”
