These Boots Were Made for Walkin’ on the Bridge

Get your boots walkin’! A one-mile route along the river between the West End District and Downtown this summer where you will discover a public art installation of over a dozen decorated fiberglass boots. The “2005 Boots About Town” boots were created in celebration of the Red Wing Shoe Company’s 100th year.

The boots are coming out of storage for this temporary installation and will be displayed on the West End Riverview Skyway Pedestrian Bridge and in areas Downtown through September.

In 2005 several businesses and individuals collaborated to create 36 boots that were on public display. After the initial public art project, many were placed in storage and others remained installed outside various businesses. We did discover that a few fell into disrepair. The project was conceived with the support of Mayor Mike Wilson and West End business owners and many answered our call and have graciously agreed to bring these boots back out for public display. We thank them for their willingness to support this public art installation.

Boots located downtown Red Wing

• Pretty River Town (Located Downtown at Hanisch)
• To Your Health – (Located Downtown at Tootsie Too’s)
• River View Images – (Located Downtown at Wing Shoe Store)
• Make Your Mark on 100 Years (Located Downtown at the YMCA)

Boots located on the Red Wing Riverview Skyway Pedestrian Bridge/West End District

• West End District Rescued and Refurbished Boot
• Soar Higher with Southeast Tech
• The Heart and Sole of Twin Bluff Middle School
• Prides of Red Wing – Larry’s Jugs
• Building a Healthy Community – Red Wing Construction
• Dreaming Big Dreams – Youth Outreach
• The City at Work – City of Red Wing Public Works
• The Oil Boot – Mike Wilson
• There Was and Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe – Lawrence Realty
• The Orange Crusher – Falk Auto Body
• Support our Troops – Red Wing Shoe Company

Intentional pedestrian-friendly design connects these districts with sidewalks, pathways, and the Red Wing Riverview Skyway Pedestrian Bridge, making this public art installation more accessible to community members and visitors alike.  It’s easy to stroll to and from the West End District and downtown Red Wing, where you can find the world’s largest boot, size 638 ½ D, constructed in 2005 also in celebration of the Red Wing Shoe Company’s 100th anniversary.   Two of the “2005 Boots About Town” boots have been on display on 3rd Street for some time.  One in front of Tootsie Too’s and one in front of Hanisch Bakery.

Phase two of the Old West Main Street street construction has begun again impacting several West End District businesses, making this art installation timely in calling attention to the safe and convenient walking accessibility during construction as there is plenty of parking available at Baypoint Park, at the most northern end of the pedestrian bridge.  

Thanks to Glen Witham of Bayside Tap and Steakhouse, Alison Youngs from Salon With a Twist (S.W.A.T), the City of Red Wing, and Mayor Mike Wilson for their work on this project.  In addition, thanks to the businesses and individuals that offered up their boots to display.