Here's Everything You Need to Plan Your June 10 Northern Spark Adventure!
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 4:34PM
With 7 sites to see, it's important to plan your transportation to and around Northern Spark this year. All festival sites are walkable from METRO Green Line stations. Some contain compact programmed areas, and others are more spread out. Get ready to ride and walk!
Here are some things to do in advance to make festival navigation easy:
1. Plan your route!
Take a look at the festival areas using our zoomable maps. Make a customized list of the projects you want to visit with our My Night feature. Or stop at any festival Info Tent and pick up a paper map. As long as you find your way to the METRO Green Line, you’ll find the festival.
2. Download a free pass for use on all Metro Transit light rail and bus lines.
Riding the train is easy! Either print out the downloadable pass or be prepared to show the digital version on your smartphone to a Metro Transit operator if asked.
Free passes are viable from 8:00pm - 6:30am. Service on the METRO Green Line runs regularly until 1:00am, then every half hour until 4:00am.
Ticket machines are located on each train platform if you forget to download a pass or your phone runs out of juice. The Northern Spark Festival Map also functions as a free pass for the METRO Green Line ONLY.
PLEASE NOTE that only the METRO Green Line service runs 24 hours. METRO Blue Line and bus routes end at varying times. Need help planning your trip? Use Metro Transit’s Trip Planner or call 612-373-333, TTY 651-291-0904
3. Park and ride (or walk or cycle).
Drive close to the METRO Green Line, park and ride, walk or cycle your way through the festival.
Tune up your bike and get between festival sites on two wheels. Don’t forget a bike lock, light and helmet. Find Nice Ride stations near some festival locations at niceridemn.org.
If you plan to drive a vehicle to the festival, be aware of these street closures: in Lowertown: Broadway St. between 4th St E and 5th St E. In Little Africa: Sherburne Ave between Snelling Ave and N Asbury St. In Minneapolis at the Commons: Portland Ave between 4th St and 5th Street.
Street closures take place beginning at 9:00am on Saturday, June 10, through 9:00am on Sunday, June 11.
4. Charge up your phone!
Some Northern Spark projects require the use of a smartphone. Make sure yours is charged and ready to play!
5. Bring a water bottle, or if you forget...
Northern Spark food vendors will not be selling bottled water. Fill up your reusable container or get a one-of-a-kind recycled (washed and sanitized) water bottle at festival Info Tents. Find Tap Mpls stations in Minneapolis and Anthropocene Water Stations in St. Paul.
6. Weather reminder: Northern Spark happens rain or (star) shine.
Visit northernspark.org and follow on social media for night-of changes due to weather.
