In Minneapolis, a unique annual event attracted over 1,000 attendees on a recent Saturday. The crowd gathered in a picturesque neighborhood to witness the sharpening of a gigantic 20-foot-tall No. 2 pencil. This impressive sculpture was crafted from a large oak tree damaged in a storm a few years prior, located at the home of John and Amy Higgins.

The tree initially faced destruction when severe winds tore its crown off. While some neighbors expressed their sorrow, the Higginses saw an opportunity to breathe new life into the tree. The sharpening ceremony on their front lawn has transformed into a significant community gathering, hosting a lively celebration replete with music and performances. Attendees often dress as pencils or erasers, adding to the festive atmosphere.

This year’s event featured Swiss alphorn players and paid tribute to Minneapolis icon Prince. In honor of what would have been his 67th birthday, purple pencils were distributed. Rachel Hyman traveled from Chicago to attend the event after hearing about it from a friend. “Life is too short,” Hyman remarked, wearing a pencil costume.

After the storm, the Higginses aimed to make a sculpture that was both humorous and recognizable. They discarded the idea of a typical chainsaw-carved figure, opting instead for a gigantic pencil due to the log’s shape and size. Wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad helped bring this vision to life by crafting an oversized Trusty brand No. 2 pencil. “People interpret this however they want,” Ingvoldstad stated.

Amy Higgins explained their choice: “Why a pencil? Everybody uses a pencil. You see it in schools, workplaces, everywhere. It’s accessible and meaningful to everyone.” The event’s purpose is to unite the community, with John Higgins adding, “We tell a story about the dull tip getting sharp. It’s a chance for renewal.” Indeed, people embrace the metaphor of creating fresh starts.

“Like any ritual, you’ve got to sacrifice something,” Ingvoldstad said. “So we’re sacrificing part of the monumentality of the pencil, so that we can give that to the audience that comes.”

Maintaining the pencil’s point requires a giant, custom-designed sharpener, which is hoisted using scaffolding during the event. When sharpened each year, the pencil becomes slightly shorter, with reductions ranging from 3 to 10 inches. Though it may one day be reduced to a stub, this process allows the pencil’s magical appeal to evolve naturally over time.