Quick quiz.
Name the Vikings' best (and arguably most charismatic) defensive player.
Name the current governor of Minnesota.
Name the state's most popular tourist attraction.
If you answered Jared Allen, Mark Dayton and Mall of America to the above questions, you may have just earned yourself a Saturday afternoon field trip to see all three together.
As the Vikings try to rally support for a new stadium -- the issue is in its critical stages and will likely face a defining moment Monday -- the weekend will provide opportunities for supporters and detractors to state their cases loud and clear. As part of the Vikings' efforts, Allen and Dayton plus Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak, senator Julie Rosen and state representative Terry Morrow will all appear in the Sears Courtyard at the Mall of America in an effort to thank fans for their support and, in the team's words, "encourage increased activity heading into Monday's House floor vote."
Saturday's event is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
Monday's vote on the House floor is likely to cause fireworks. House Speaker Kurt Zellers has said he won't vote for the plan and also said he doubts it will collect enough votes to be passed. Hence the need for the Vikings and the rest of the pro-stadium crowd to get some momentum going.
