Apr 14, 2008 1:21 pm US/Central
Local Mayors Announce 'CivicFest' During RNC
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
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CivicFest will take place at the same time the Republican National Convention is held in St. Paul, Sept. 1-4.
2008 Republican National Convention
The mayors of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington don't want residents to leave town during the Republican National Convention.
They hope a new festival to be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center will help persuade them to stay.
CivicFest will take place August 29-September 4 while the convention is held in St. Paul from September 1-4. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 8 and older.
The focus will be Minnesota and American history. A miniature version of the White House interior will be displayed, along with exhibits on U.S. presidents and flags. The event is nonpartisan.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says the Twin Cities will see an even bigger economic boost during the convention if locals stay in town to celebrate.
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According to GOP.com, the Republican Party was born in the early 1850's by anti-slavery activists and individuals who believed that government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican Party president.
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