More than 1,000 people gathered in a picturesque neighborhood in Minneapolis for an extraordinary annual event: the sharpening of a massive No. 2 pencil. This 20-foot (6-meter) pencil was crafted from an oak tree by John and Amy Higgins, whose beloved tree had suffered damage during a storm several years ago.
Instead of viewing the storm damage as a loss, the Higginses saw an opportunity to bring new life to the tree. The sharpening ceremony, held on their front lawn, has transformed into a vibrant community event. Hundreds of attendees gather in the leafy neighborhood near Lake of the Isles for music and pageantry. Some people dress up as pencils or erasers, and entertainment included Swiss alphorn players. This year, the event honored the late musician Prince by handing out purple pencils in celebration of what would have been his 67th birthday.
Rachel Hyman traveled from Chicago after hearing about the event from a friend. Enthusiastic about participating, she dressed in a pencil costume and joined the festivities. In the aftermath of the storm, the Higginses decided to sculpt their tree into a distinctive piece of pop art. Avoiding typical chainsaw carvings like bears, they envisioned a giant pencil due to the tree’s shape and size.
Wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad helped turn their vision into reality, crafting a replica of a classic Trusty brand No. 2 pencil. Amy Higgins expressed her thoughts on choosing a pencil for their sculpture: “Everybody uses a pencil, whether at school or work. It’s universally recognized and accessible to everyone.” Ingvoldstad also highlighted the importance of personal interpretation, inviting people to bring their own meanings to the event.
People interpret this however they want to. They should. They should come to this and find whatever they want out of it.
John Higgins explained that the celebration aimed to unite the community: “We tell a story about the dull tip, and we’re gonna get sharp.” He talked about the symbolism of renewal, using the pencil as a metaphor for fresh beginnings, such as writing new letters or solving math problems.
Every year, the pencil becomes a little shorter as they remove 3 to 10 inches (8 to 25 centimeters) during the sharpening. Although they haven’t decided this year’s reduction, they accept that it might eventually become a mere stub. Ingvoldstad sees this process as part of the event’s magic. About the ritual, he mentioned that sacrifice is essential; “we’re sacrificing part of the monumentality of the pencil.” Nevertheless, it’s an offering of goodwill to the attendees.