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News Releases
The Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee Announces CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration
14 April 2008
RNC Attractions Events Arts + Culture Museums Family Downtown Minneapolis
Democracy and the U.S. Presidency
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (April 14, 2008) – The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee along with U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead announced today that CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration will be held in conjunction with the 2008 Republican National Convention. CivicFest, which will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from August 29 to September 4, 2008, will be a nearly 300,000 square foot event celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency that will be open to the general public.
“With more than 35 exhibits celebrating the history of our nation as well as our state, CivicFest provides an amazing opportunity for Minnesotans and visitors to the Republican National Convention to not only learn about democracy and our state, but to experience it,” said Cynthia Lesher, President of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. “It has been more than 116 years since a national political convention has been held in Minnesota and while not everyone will be able to experience the convention floor, anyone can tour through CivicFest to learn about past presidents, our founding fathers and more.”
Visitors to CivicFest will learn about the U.S. Presidency and have the unique opportunity to sit at a replica of the President’s desk in the White House Oval Office and sign a bill into law. In addition, a 20-foot by 60-foot meticulously detailed model of the White House and its contents previously exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and Presidential Libraries will be on display.
CivicFest also will celebrate Minnesota business, technology and invention as well as the state’s fascinating history and natural resources. In addition, each visitor will receive a ‘Convention-style’ commemorative CivicFest credential.
Tickets for CivicFest are available online at www.civicfest.org. Participants will select a specific time to tour the exhibit. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children, students and seniors. CivicFest is free for children under 8.
CivicFest’s Executive Producer is Gerard McTernan, who has previously produced events in conjunction with the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics, All-Star Fan Fest for Major League Baseball and Super Bowl XXX. Many of his events have garnered national and international media coverage because of their size, scale and subject matter.
“CivicFest provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people of all ages to experience an amazing array of political memorabilia and exhibits all in once place,” McTernan said. “Local residents as well as visitors to the Convention are invited to attend CivicFest and to participate in this remarkable show.”
More than 150,000 people are expected to attend CivicFest.
The logo for CivicFest was developed by Padilla Speer Beardsley, a Minneapolis-based public relations and marketing firm that donated its time and creative talent to the project.
About CivicFest CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration is a family-friendly, once-in-a-lifetime interactive and multimedia experience, featuring more than 35 educational and entertaining exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency. CivicFest is being produced by Maxene Fernstrom for the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. For more information, visit www.civicfest.org.
