A sudden eerie silence

Once-bustling scenes went quiet as the pandemic brought everyday life in Minnesota to an abrupt halt.
 

Target Center

DECEMBER 13, 2019 A crowd watches the Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns in action.Photo by Alex Kormann

APRIL 16, 2020 The courts and nets were in storage as COVID cut the season short.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

May Day Parade

MAY 7, 2017 Heart of the Beast puppets are part of the annual May Day Parade in Minneapolis' Powderhorn Park.Photo by Xavier Wang

MAY 3, 2020 It was just another day in Powderhorn Park, not a parade in sight.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Lake Minnetonka

MAY 22, 2015 Spring means the start of boat traffic near Lord Fletcher's in Spring Park.Photo by David Joles

MAY 22, 2020 The kickoff to Memorial Day weekend was a little more sedate.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

The 35W

JUNE 11, 2018 Lane closures slowed early morning traffic into downtown to a crawl.Photo by Elizabeth Flores

JUNE 8, 2020 Rush hour looks much different with most Minnesotans working remotely.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Rock the Garden

JUNE 29, 2019 The Walker Art Center’s annual Rock the Garden is a lively event.Photo by Nicole Neri

JUNE 27, 2020 The Sculpture Garden was more reserved than rocking.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Pride Parade

JUNE 25, 2017 The Twin Cities Pride Festival draws a colorful and hopeful crowd.Photo by Glenn Stubbe

JUNE 28, 2020 Construction and a pandemic couldn’t stop a few Pride marchers.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

4th of July

JULY 4, 2009 Wayzata's one-block holiday parade packs a lot of punch and people.Photo by Richard Sennott

JULY 4, 2020 The neighborhood tradition was put on hold – like most everything else.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Minnesota State Fair

AUGUST 24, 2017 Sunny skies and big crowds make for a stellar opening day.Photo by Glen Stubbe

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 The food parade filled a void left by the fair’s cancellation.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Minnesota State Fair

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 A warm, muggy day didn't deter Labor Day fairgoers.Photo by David Joles

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 A food parade filled the void left by the fair's cancellation.Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Turkey Day 5k

NOVEMBER 23, 2017 The annual run has been a fun holiday tradition for 30-plus years.Photo by David Joles

NOVEMBER 26, 2020 The Minneapolis starting point was short about 8,000 turkeys. Photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Turkey Day 5K

NOVEMBER 22, 2018 The annual run has been a fun holiday tradition for 30-plus years. Photo by Glen Stubbe

NOVEMBER 26, 2020 The Minneapolis starting point was short about 8,000 turkeys. Photo by Jeff Wheeler