2008-09-02_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5'h Annual Wild Rice Festival at Harriet Alexander Nature Center—September 13, 2008 Contact: Nancy Robbins, Publicity Committee Volunteer, 651-489-3601, naneykinz(Z4yaboo.com The Friends of Roseville's Harriet Alexander Nature Center (FORHANC) are pleased to announce the 5'h Annual Wild Rice Festival on Saturday, September 13, 2008. This family -friendly celebration of wild rice, Native American culture, and Minnesota's fall season will be held, with no admission charge, on the grounds of the nature center at 2520 N. Dale Street, Roseville, Minnesota. The event begins with a fundraising pancake breakfast from 8-11 am, served by members of the North Suburban St. Paul Kiwanis Club, The breakfast features wild rice pancakes and blueberry pancakes with pure maple syrup and our signature wild rice sausage links. After breakfast we'll start selling full- size wild rice sausages on buns and there will be Native American fry bread and other tasty treats for sale. Demonstrations, exhibits and activities begin at 9 am and continue until the event closes at 4 pm. We're bringing back the very colorful and popular dance group, Native Pride Productions, and of course we'll have Native American storytellers to share their tales. New this year! A live American bald eagle from the National Eagle Center will be on hand all day, presented by two Native American handlers including Duke Addicks, Master Storyteller. We're pleased to announce that In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater will be here to perform some favorite trickster tales of that lovable but often fool -hardy character, Coyote. Wild rice demonstrations will be given by representatives of the Ojibwc Language and Cultural Immersion Center, which is located near Mille Lacs. Everyone will want to take a turn at the apple cider press for a taste of fresh cider. Kids of all ages will want to try out the crafts and other activities. There will be a silent auction and the "HANC Store" will be selling wild rice, maple syrup, hot jalapeno pepper jelly, books, our wild rice recipe booklet, and more. Credit cards and checks will be accepted at both the HANC Store and at the silent auction. The Wild Rice Festival is organized and run by volunteer members of FORHANC, with financial assistance from individual and business sponsors including Half Price Books. Proceeds support the nature center, part of the Roseville Parks and Recreation Department, and its mission of environmental education and outdoor recreation. 11 1 More information about the Wild Rice Festival, including sponsorship opportunities, can be found at www.forhanc.or or by calling the Harriet Alexander Nature Center at (651) 765-HANC (4262). For pictures taken at past Festivals to use in any printed material, please contact Nancy Robbins. We warmly welcome requests for interviews for feature articles.