ST. PAUL, MN - This weekend, Governor Mark Dayton will travel to Mankato to host the Fifth Annual Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener. Celebrating the pheasant opener is a long-standing Minnesota tradition - and one that Governor Dayton has highlighted by hosting Governor's Pheasant Opener events in each of his five years as Governor.
"For sixty years, I have enjoyed pheasant hunting in Minnesota," said Governor Mark Dayton. "Over the past five years, we have held terrific Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener events in Minnesota. I thank our wonderful hosts in Mankato and the surrounding area for all of their hard work and gracious hospitality."
Governor Dayton will be joined at this weekend's events by Lt. Governor Tina Smith, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr, Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism John Edman, elected officials, Pheasant Opener organizers, participants, and community members.
In addition to the weekend's Pheasant Opener events, Governor Dayton will celebrate on Friday the expansion of Highway 14 from two lanes to four lanes near Owatonna. The expansion was one of the first projects funded through the state's
Corridors of Commerce program. Governor Dayton will be joined at the event by Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz, Transportation Commissioner Charles Zelle, and state and local elected officials.
Also on Friday, Governor Dayton will drop the puck at the Minnesota State Mavericks vs University of Nebraska Omaha hockey game at Minnesota State University Mankato.
A full schedule of events the Governor will be attending throughout the weekend is outlined below. These events are open to the press.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Highway 14 Expansion Celebration
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz
Transportation Commissioner Charles Zelle
State and local elected officials
WHAT:
Celebration of the expansion of Highway 14 from two lanes to four lanes near Owatonna
WHEN:
Friday, October 9
2:30pm
WHERE:
From Owatonna, travel east on Highway 14. Turn right onto Steele County Road 43 and travel half a mile. Turn left onto SE 28th St. and travel one mile. Turn left onto SE 54th Ave. and continue half a mile to an unpaved cul-de-sac.
Puck Drop at Minnesota State Mavericks vs University of Nebraska Hockey Game
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
WHAT:
Governor Dayton will drop the puck at the Minnesota State Mavericks vs University of Nebraska Omaha hockey game at Minnesota State University Mankato
WHEN:
Friday, October 9
6:45pm
WHERE:
Verizon Wireless Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato
Governor's Pheasant Opener Community Banquet
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr
Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman
Pheasant Opener organizers, participants, and community members
WHAT:
Governor's Pheasant Opener Community Banquet, with a social hour beginning at 6:00pm and the official program beginning at 7:00pm
WHEN:
Friday, October 9
7:00pm
WHERE:
Verizon Wireless Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Breakfast and Registration
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr
Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman
Governor's Pheasant Opener participants
WHAT:
Breakfast with Pheasant Opener participants, beginning at 6:00am (Governor Dayton will arrive at approximately 7:00am)
WHEN:
Saturday, October 10
6:00am
WHERE:
Mankato City Center Hotel
101 E Main St
Mankato
Media Availability with Governor Dayton
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
WHAT:
Media availability with Governor Dayton, beginning at 7:40am
WHEN:
Saturday, October 10
7:40am
WHERE:
Mankato City Center Hotel
101 E Main St
Mankato
Hunting Sendoff
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
WHAT:
Governor Dayton gives sendoff remarks to hunters
WHEN:
Saturday, October 10
8:00am
WHERE:
Mankato City Center Hotel
101 E Main St
Mankato
