CivicFest is now free to promote donations for hurricane relief efforts

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: September 2, 2008 - 1:45 PM

Organizers of the Republican National Convention said they are waiving the admission fee for the remaining three days of "CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration" and encouraging those who attend the exhibit to make a donation to help victims of Hurricane Gustav.

Admission to the exhibit featuring 35 exhibits that highlight Minnesota businesses, American history, democracy and the U.S. Presidency had been $15 for adults and $10 students and ages 60 and older.

"Whether it is $2 out of a piggy bank or $200, we want to make it possible for everyone to participate in the relief effort," said Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis-St. Paul 2008 Host Committee. "By making admission free, we hope more people will choose to attend and donate those dollars to help the people of the Gulf Coast."

Money raised from CivicFest, which runs today through Thursday at the Minneapolis Convention Center, will go to the Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, Florida Disaster Fund, Louisiana Hurricane Gustav Relief and Recovery Fund, Louisiana Aidmatrix Foundation, Mississippi Hurricane Recover Fund, and Texas Responds.

Two entertainment venues at the Mall of America also will donate part of this week's income to help victims of Hurricane Gustav.

Officials from Nickelodeon Universe, the Bloomington mall's amusement park, said they will donate 50 percent of net proceeds from ticket sales today through Friday to the Hurricane Gustav relief fund.

Underwater Adventures, the 1.2 million gallon aquarium featuring 4,500 sharks, turtles, stingrays, and other sea creatures, said it will donate 20 percent of proceeds from full-price admission through Friday.