August 13 , 2007
For Immediate Release:

Sesquicentennial Spectacle at the State Fair

Tane S. Danger
E-mail: tane@mn150years.orgSnail:
C/o Sesquicentennial Commission
240 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 5510
(651)-296-1870 (office)
(507)-469-1433 (cell)

The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is taking-up residence at the 2007 Minnesota State Fair later this month and promises to be a highlight of the 12-day celebration. Complete with Sesqui-gear, a snazzy booth and some Minnesota-born characters working as representatives, the Sesquicentennial’s debut should be a must-see part of the fair.

The booth will be located near the east side of the Grandstand and in front of the Butterfly House, across from the State Fair Visitor Plaza. This will be a spectacular location to show-off the Sesquicentennial’s brand new, campaign style booth (see design mock-ups below). St. Paul based Skyline International donated, designed and will construct the new booth.

But there will be even more than a sporty booth for State Fair visitors to see when they find the Sesquicentennial. They can pick up information about next year’s Minnesota anniversary bash, check out the daily giveaways, and take a moment to write notes to Minnesota’s future generations. And on some days visitors can meet two life-size manifestations of Minnesota culture who will act as honorary ambassadors at the booth. Hormel Foods is sending Spammy, the human-sized can of Spam, to work at the State Fair booth while General Mills drafted the Trix Rabbit as an honorary Sesquicentennial Fellow. The two Minnesota born creatures will be available to pass out informational flyers and pose for pictures.

The Sesqui Booth will have fun giveaways almost every single day of the Fair. Check the State Fair’s daily listing of giveaways to find out when you can get an official Sesqui- t-shirt, pen or water bottle.

August 29th, 2007 marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of the state constitution, which had to happen before Minnesota could become a state. The Sesquicentennial Commission is using this momentous occasion as a kick-off event for the upcoming 2008 year and to start a Fall season of events and program beginnings for the 150th anniversary of statehood. Throughout August 29th at the State Fair, Sesquicentennial commissioners and staff will be in 1850s era clothing and will be handing out mock-ups – “Constitution-on-a-Stick”—of the original state constitutions (there were two of them).  Here is a quick schedule for the Sesquicentennial the 29th.

The Sesquicentennial booth will have volunteers from across Minnesota. A host of state agencies, the Minnesota Extension Service, Gustavus Adolphus College’s Community Service Center, the Minnesota Historical Society and many others helped the Sesquicentennial Commission recruit individuals to cover the more than 400 volunteer hours needed to staff the booth.

The Sesquicentennial’s executive director, Jane Leonard, its chair Cay Shea Hellervik and vice-chair Reatha Clark King, will be available throughout the 12 days to meet and talk with various media outlets. If you would like to set up an interview or need any more information about the Sesquicentennial Commission and its presence at the 2007 State Fair, please contact Tane S. Danger at (612)-670-0596.

Beginning in January 2008, the Sesquicentennial will be a yearlong, statewide celebration and a catalyst, to learn from our past and connect all Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.

The Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission, created by the Legislature in 2005, has selected four major theme areas for the 150th observances: Education, Innovation, Arts & Cultures, and Health & Wellness. In addition, they will be shining the spotlight on Minnesota’s natural resources and our great outdoors heritage.

The Commission is joined in this effort by the Minnesota Historical Society, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System as key players, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism and other state agencies and private and non-profit partners, in organizing Minnesota’s 150th anniversary.