So you think you’re a Minnesotan? Top 150 things to do, 31-40.

The Holiday season will soon be upon us, and the list of things to do just keeps getting bigger! Thanksgiving is only about a month away. enjoy your last month before time slips away!

40. Rake a pile of leaves and spend hours jumping in them
39. Carve a jack-o-lantern with your children, and make sure to set it out on Halloween!
38. Take the family to a local haunted trail, house or hayride
37. Visit the IMAX theatre at the Minnesota Zoo on a rainy day
36. Check out the Richard G. Hardy Performing Arts Center where exciting entertainment is always happening
35. Participate in the Afton State Park Folkswalk in Hastings on October 27
34. Turkey season opened on October 17th, if you’re a hunter be sure to participate
33. Deer Opener begins November 3
32. Participate in trick-or-treating with your children
31. Take all the leftover apples from the apple orchard and bake an apple pie

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County of the Week – Faribault County

Faribault County, Minnesota

Founded: Faribault County was established on February 20^th, 1855

History:

· Named for Jean Baptiste Faribault, who was a trader with the Dakota.

· Faribault moved to Minnesota in 1803 and was the first white settler to practice agriculture in the state.

· In the fall of 1856 all 82 residents of the county voted to leave the county seat in Blue Earth.

· County Commissioners began to advertise bids for a new courthouse in 1890.

· December 1891, construction of the Faribault County Courthouse was complete with a price tag of over $70,000.

· Faribault was the first in Minnesota to be named a Star County.

· Some of America’s richest farmland can be found in this county.

Events/Festivals/Celebrations:

· Easton holds their Friendship Days Celebration on the last weekend in June.

· Festag, which is German for festival, takes place in Minnesota Lake in July.

· Check out Wells Kernel Days during the third weekend in August for you can experience the celebration of the city of Wells and their strong agricultural base.

Places to Visit:

· The world’s tallest Jolly Green Giant statue stands 55 ½ feet tall in Green Giant Park. (Blue Earth)

· Venture in to the Historic Good Sheppard Episcopal Church and view Minnesota’s first stained glass window. (Blue Earth)

· Catch a showing at Kiester’s historic Kee Theater.

· Spend a day at beautiful Old Mill Park in Minnesota Lake.

Population: As of the 2000 census, 16,181 people reside in Faribault County.

Cities:

· Blue Earth *

· Bricelyn

· Delavan

· Easton

· Elmore

· Frost

· Kiester

· Minnesota Lake

· Walters

· Wells

· Winnebago

* Largest city

 

Area: 722 sq. miles

For more information:

· http://www.co.faribault.mn.us/index.cfm

· http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No32.htm

 

Information compiled by Andrew Ferguson

So you think you’re a Minnesotan? 150 things to do in Minnesota, 41-50

Wow! What a change in weather, just last week it was warm and sunny, and now I’m pulling out all of my jackets! Since it is cold out most of the time in Minnesota, there are an abundance of activities to partake in. Be sure not to miss out on the fun! If you have any ideas, send them our way, we’d love to hear from you!

 

50. See Jay Ungar and Molly Mason in Cambridge, MN…American acoustic music is always enjoyable!

49. Attend Oktoberfest in New Ulm, MN (10/12-10/13)

48. Now that the leaves are changing colors, take advantage of the scenery by capturing Kodak moments in the crisp outdoors

47. Enjoy a local soccer game; be sure to bring hot chocolate to stay warm

46. Bundle up and go for a jog around your neighborhood, the cold weather often makes it easier to run!

45. Attend Leaf spectacular in Taylors Falls; be sure to bring your camera

44. Build a scarecrow, Halloween is just weeks away

43. Attempt to go camping one last weekend, don’t forget the firewood

42. Take a road trip up north and spend a weekend at one of the many resorts in MN

41. Attend a Homecoming football game and pep fest!

The Minnesota Statehood Stamp

The secret is finally out!
Last Saturday, October 6th, the curtain was pulled and the design for the Minnesota Statehood Stamp was reveled. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, along with the United States Post Office, traveled down to Winona State University for a celebration in honor of the Statehood Stamp. The new Science Laboratory Atrium at the university was filled with Minnesota stamp collectors, Winona schoolchildren, city officials and fellow Minnesotans – all waiting to see what fifty years in the making had produced.

October 6th was only an unveiling of the stamp design. The actual issuance, when the stamp will be available for purchase, is still yet to be determined. With a stamp as beautiful and striking as the Minnesota Statehood Stamp we can be sure Minnesota will make a bold impression for the Sesquicentennial year!

Anthony C. Williams – Northland District Manager for US Post OfficeThe curtain comes off! Executive Director Jane Leonard The MN Sesquicentennial Commission shows off new Sesquicentennial Medallions now for sale. Sesquicentennial Office Staff with Senator David Senjem Minnesota Statehood Stamp unveiling at Winona State University

So you think you’re a Minnesotan? Top 150 things to do in Minnesota, 51-60

Its time to face reality, I don’t think we will be experiencing any more warm sunny days until next year! Fortunately, Minnesota has fun activities for the cooler days we will experience.

 

60. Take the family out for a day of pumpkin picking

59. Curl up on the couch on a rainy day and watch one of your favorite movies

58. Take advantage of the green lawn, by having a picnic with friends

57. Catch one of the Vikings football games at the Metrodome

56. If the Metrodome if too much of a hike, watch a local high school football game

55. Check out the Guthrie Theatre

54. Enjoy music from a local band at one of your local coffee shops

53. Invite the neighbors over for tater tot hot dish

52. Take a horse and buggy ride in downtown St. Paul, before it really gets cold!

51. Enjoy a meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp, or one of the many other restaurants in the Mall of America

 

Posted by: Laura Baratto, Minnesota Sesquicentennial fellow

Stillwater unveiling

Minnesota’s territorial birthplace will play role model for the rest of the state once again as it becomes the first downtown dressed for the state’s Sesquicentennial in 2008.

Tuesday, September 18th the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission unveiled the Sesquicentennial Community Spirit program and Spirit Kit, a simple, fun way for towns and cities across Minnesota to commemorate the 150th anniversary of statehood. The spirit kits consist of pole banners, street graphics and window treatments with the official State Sesquicentennial logo and room for customization.

As the territorial birthplace of Minnesota the town of Stillwater seemed a natural choice to host the event. Stillwater’s downtown became the first in the state to be donned with sesquicentennial spirit and now serves as a prototype for other communities as 2008 approaches.

The morning began at the Water Street Inn where 58 local school children lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. State Senator Kathy Saltzman spoke, along with school superintendent Keith Ryskoski. The Sesquicentennial Commission executive director, Jane Leonard, used this opportunity to announce the winners of the first round of Sesquicentennial micro-grants. Over sixty grants were awarded and the enthusiasm is still strong for the next round. Mike Cofrin, of Visual Impact, spoke of his excitement in seeing the flags and banners throughout Stillwater and that he looks forward to working with other communities across the state.

Though rain may have pushed the events indoors the excitement was still there. Stillwater wore its Sesquicentennial garb with pride and we can only hope to see communities across the state continue with that enthusiasm.

Stillwater 4th graders

Downtown Stillwater

Downtown Stillwater

So you think you’re a Minnesotan?

As the State fair comes to an end, we hope you had a chance to get over there and experience the great Minnesota get together! Not only is the fair ending, but summer is wrapping up as well. Here are some activities to check out as we enter the fall season!

70. Sneak in a day on the lake one last time before the fall jackets come out
69. Check out one of the many local apple orchards, and see who can eat the most apples
68. Experience the Renaissance festival
67. Go shopping at the HUGE Mall of America on a rainy afternoon….make sure you set aside enough time to walk around
66. While at the Mall of America check out underwater world
65. Take a day trip to Stillwater, MN the first city in Minnesota
64. Warm up with a bonfire and smores on a cool night
63. Pack a lunch and have a picnic at one of the many local parks
62. Catch a new flick at one of the many movie theaters around Minnesota
61. Take a tour of the beautiful State Capitol in St. Paul

So you think you’re a Minnesotan?

It’s been crazy over at the Sesquicentennial office since the start of the fair! Here are more things to do in Minnesota, all at the state fair! Be sure to get over to the state fair ground sometime during the twelve days of fun!

80. Go to the state fair located between St. Paul and Minneapolis
79. Check out the Minnesota Sesquicentennial state fair booth, and be sure to get there early enough to get our Sesqui-giveaway for the day!!

78. See whats going on at 4H! Check out their exhibit!
77. Visit the agriculture building and see the MN county special highlights each day!
76. See the baby animals at the Miracle birth center
75. Enjoy an ice cold MN state beverage (milk), only $1 for all you can drink
74. Whatever it may be, get something on a stick
73. Learn how many MN colleges there are in the education building
72. Enjoy one of the FREE concerts at the Leinie lodge bandshell!
71. Learn about Minnesota’s environment by going to the progress center eco experience

So you think you’re a Minnesotan?

 

Minnesota is a great place to be, and the list of activities is ongoing. Whether it’s going on a roller coaster or camping at a state park, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the great state of Minnesota!

Here are the next 10 out of 150 things to do:

90. Explore underwater adventures at the Mall of America
89. Go to Valley fair and ride one of the big roller coasters
88. Take a weekend to go camping at one of the many state parks
87. Go for a boat ride on the street car boat Minnehaha
86. See a horse race at Canterbury in Shakopee
85. Catch a flick at the drive in movie theatre
84. Take a stroll down Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis
83. Visit the stores, galleries and antique shop in Warehouse district in Minneapolis
82. Check out the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, the only bridge of its kind
81. Catch a concert at River Center in St. Paul

So you think you’re a Minnesotan?

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their own ideas to our list, we love hearing about them! Here are 10 more activities to participate in:

100. Visit one of our hundreds of public libraries! Tons of print and online resources are available
99. Sit out on the deck and enjoy an ice cold beverage
98. Take the family to a local water park
97. Visit the University of Minnesota
96. Walk along the North shore of Lake Superior
95. Lodge at one of the many resorts in Lutsen
94. Tube down Cannon River with friends or family
93. Go antiquing in Stillwater
92. Visit Minnesota’s oldest community of Wabasha
91. Ride the carousel and enjoy ice cream at Lark Toys