Wishes for the Sky 2010

Announcement:  The upcoming Wishes for the Sky is now scheduled for April 25, 2010.  Stay tuned for more updates!  Happy Holidays!

HFL Photography

Many thanks to the Human Form and Lighting Photography Group for volunteering to document this year's event! Below are some of their wonderful photos from Wishes for the Sky 2009:

Wishes Ensemble 5-27-09

Last night the Wishes for the Sky Ensemble met for the first time since Wishes for the Sky 2009. We reflected on the event and gave updates on what we have each been doing for the last month. We then spent some time examining the Ensemble and this year's Wishes by taking notes and sharing our thoughts on the following questions:

-What worked for Wishes '09?
-What didn't work so well?
-How did we support each other?

-What's needed now?

-What's needed for next year?

-What excited you about preparing for and participating in Wishes '09?

-What would you like to get out of our sessions in the coming months?

The Ensemble writes it's thoughts on the question: "What didn't work so well?"

Thank You from the Producing Ensemble

"Our 3rd annual Wishes for the Sky happened on April 19, 2009. We set out to help people make good wishes while honoring the earth and themselves. We created an enchanted experience by the Mississippi River and helped root this young tradition in our community. We reminded many public visitors how important wishing and hope are for our world. This is a work of art enacted and created by the people. Thank you for making Wishes for the Sky a success.

"The rain was wonderful. It gave us an opportunity to accept it. Of course, at first, we felt anxious and disappointed. But that feeling slowly washed away, and we were taken by how we looked at one another, reassuring each other that it was going to be ok. It didn’t matter that the numbers were modest. Everyone who was there sensed a great and different satisfaction. Each person who braved the weather became a blessing. Each visitor who came to the Mississippi on a drizzly day to make a wish was a friend, a fellow believer, a hearty Minnesotan.

"To see hope, dedication, and generosity against the backdrop of rain is very different from seeing it on a sunny day. The whole day we held the youngest and oldest wishes in our hearts, again perhaps more so than on a sunny day.

"The family of new baby Oliver wrote: 'We wish every child has a safe home and loving family.'

"Walter Breuning, 112 and the oldest man in the country, wrote: 'I just wish people would be kind to each other.'

"To enjoy our memories even more, please take a look at the list of selected wishes from the day. They are remarkable.

"The early numbers tell us that more than 600 came to our event on April 19, more than 350 kites carried wishes, and we created no more than 3 pounds of trash. Beyond the numbers, there is so much to celebrate about our day together. We accomplished something very unique, and the openheartedness at the event was magnified.

"Again, thank you."

The Wishes for the Sky Producing Ensemble 2009
-Marcus Young, Lead Artist
-Vonda Vaden, Co-Producer
-Ming-Jen Chen

-Lynn Hoffman
-Lori Janey
-Brad Klages
-Kathleen Maloney
-Aki Shibata
-Travis Spangler

Wish Kites from Wishes 2009

Below is a selection of wishes from Wishes for the Sky 2009:

"All have enough, none have too much."

"I wish that while I fly my kite it will not rain."

"May my children fly like a kite on this beautiful world."

"I wish more people would smile!"

"Horses!"

"I wish for sweet grasses and butterflies."

"I wish I could fly and fly far far away and touch the clouds."


"A magic wand.  A real one.  Then I can have wings and sparkling clean water."

"I wish for Mrs. Hague to be my teacher forever!"

"I wish my kids will enjoy a day like this with their kids one day."

"Barack Obama to be safe."

"I wish for Jesus's second coming."

"Wishes for the sun."

"Better public transportation."

"The end of capitalism."

"I believe I can fly, etc."

"Puppy."

"I wish for Grant and I to become one someday."

"All people working together in harmony."

"Be joyful though you have considered all the facts."

"I wish my mom will have a baby."

"I hope my sister is nice to me."

"Grow strong, tree!"

"I wish I had more friends."

"I wish dandelions were out in the winter."

"I wish that music will change the hearts of evil men..."

"For everybody to have a loving person in their life."

Thank You!

Thank you so much to EVERYONE who braved the weather to be a part of Wishes for the Sky 2009!

In spite of the nasty weather, we had 610 people come through the pavilion doors, and 359 new wishes flew on kites!

Our first wish was provided by Colleen and Timothy, parents of baby Oliver, the first child born in Saint Paul today: "We wish every child would have a safe home and loving family."

Our second wish was provided by Walter Breuning, the eldest man in America, live via telephone from Great Falls, MT: "I just wish people would be kind to each other."

More to come, but here are a few video stills from today's event: