Mankato Solstice Outdoor Music Festival is traditionally an annual event used as a fundraiser where the proceeds are donated to local charities. In April 2023, the then current organizers handed the torch to us, Circle the Earth Recreation Organization (CERO). We are a nonprofit in Mankato that just started in January 2023. We were honored to be offered the opportunity to take over Solstice and pulled off 2023's Solstice in June.

 

Our nonprofit is focused on bringing new and unique recreational opportunities to the Mankato area, especially outdoor opportunities, and we focus on using recreation for positive mental health. Some of the things we are currently working on are a free outdoor public skatepark, more groomed cross country ski trails, more mountain bike trails, and someday a river wave park, to name a few. We also who does Nordic Exposure events, which are sauna and cold bath cycles that have countless physical and mental health benefits.

 

We are leasees of the Hub in Old Town Mankato as of April 2023 as well so we are in charge of the food trucks and other activities there, which is where our Nordic Exposure events take place and where we hosted Solstice in 2023. We will continue to keep Solstice and Paddle Jam alive with all proceeds going directly to our nonprofit. Check out our website or on Facebook to keep up with our organization. Thank you for your support!