Blog Post

World's Largest Raspberry Sculpture, world record in Hopkins, Minnesota

Feb 17, 2024

Hopkins, Minnesota, United States--Located on 8th Avenue North in Hopkins, Minnesota, right next to the Health & Wellness Center, a giant raspberry sculpture, made by local sculptor Ben Janssens, measures 11 feet tall, 10 feet wide, weighs 1,000 pounds and hangs from a 22 foot tall vine and sets the world record for being the World's Largest Raspberry Sculpture, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"As I zoomed in and out of the Hopkins area, something caught my eye -- a landmark icon for The World's Largest Raspberry. "Wait, what?!" I wondered before clicking on the icon. Sure enough, photos of a giant statue of a raspberry popped up.

"Hopkins, as it turns out, is the self-proclaimed raspberry capital of the United States. Since 1934, the town has celebrated an annual Raspberry Festival each July. It's said that the first festival was born out of the depression era as an effort to boost local business. The raspberry theme was chosen to coincide with peak raspberry season, and raspberry growers were assigned places along the curb downtown to sell their wares. The first festival was such a success that it has carried on as an annual tradition, despite the raspberry fields being long gone," the mix949.com says.

"In 2018, a local business doctor Pete L'Allier suggested that the city of Hopkins install a statue of a giant raspberry to commemorate its rasberry reputation. Minneapolis sculptor Ben Janssens was commissioned, and the final sculpture was erected in front of Hopkins' wellness center downtown. Today, the giant raspberry measures 11 feet tall, 10 feet wide, weighs 1,000 pounds and hangs from a 22 foot tall vine. It's located on 8th Avenue North in Hopkins right next to the Health & Wellness Center."

"Since 1935, the Raspberry Festival has been a celebration of Hopkins held the third weekend of July. The goal is to connect the community, support local businesses and promote Hopkins," the official website says.

"People of all ages from all over the metro come to participate in events, which includes entertainment, food and activities. We have a Marketplace fair, which is an arts and crafts event; a Raspberry Royalty coronation, where we select new representatives for the year; and a Grande Day Parade, which draws thousands of visitors to Hopkins.

"The festival is run by volunteers, who work all year to support the mission and develop future leaders of the community. Each year people who work or live in Hopkins have the opportunity to participate in the festival and can choose to run as Raspberry Festival Royalty. This tradition began at the first Raspberry Festival with the crowning of a Raspberry Queen and her court, who were all daughters of a raspberry farmers. Over the years it grew into a nine member Royal Family that includes three young women, ages 17-25, four children, ages 6-9, and two seniors who are over age 55."

"The World's Largest Raspberry (22') by Mpls. sculptor Ben Janssens. Unveiled in 2017, as a part of Hopkins' 83rd annual Raspberry Festival. (Facebook/Twin Cities)

The Hopkins Raspberry Festival was founded in 1935 as a way to boost business during the Great Depression. The festival now takes place the third weekend in July every year.

Hopkins Timeline:

1852 – First settlers arrived

1887 – Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company built (Later; Minneapolis-Moline)

1893 – 1168 people incorporated the village of West Minneapolis

1899 – Streetcar arrived in Hopkins

"Markham agreed and with only 11 days to plan and a budget of $350.00, the two Hopkins men initiated one the most successful celebrations ever to emerge from the depression era. Committees were formed, fundraising began, farmers were contacted and bands were recruited. Pederson Dairy donated gallons of cream to go with the raspberries. Chaska Sugar Beets donated 100 pounds of sugar. A parade and evening dance were planned," the Hopkins Historical Society says.

"Hopkins prepared for 15,000 people. Twenty-five thousand came. 7,000 dishes of free berries were handed out. Art Plankers encouraged the farmers to sell their raspberries for $3.00 a crate. “We are going to get a lot of people who will be tickled to death to have a crate of raspberries for $3.00.” He was right and a crate of raspberries never again sold below $3.00.

Raspberry Day continues to this day. The name has been changed to the ‘Raspberry Festival’, but we continue our many traditions and we still party into the night!"

"Hopkins is the proud home of the annual Raspberry Festival, which has become a Twin Cities tradition. The first festival was organized in 1934 during the Depression by a group of community business people who were concerned that the Hopkins economy and community needed a boost," the City of Hopkins, MN, says.

"The festival features its own royalty, a search for the Golden Raspberry, a Grande Day Parade, a Family Day and more.

"2024 Raspberry Festival: July 17-21, 2024. The 2024 Raspberry Festival will be the 90th annual event.