(Saint Paul, MN) A major event taking place throughout the upper Midwest this summer is Grand Excursion 2004, a celebration of the upper Mississippi which will culminate with the largest steamboat flotilla to travel up the Mississippi in 150 years. The event commemorates the original Grand Excursion of 1854, which celebrated the first railway connection to the Mississippi from Chicago to Rock Island, and quickly contributed to the settlement and development of the towns along the river.

Those who book tours aboard Grand Excursion 2004 will experience a once in a lifetime reenactment of the 1854 Grand Excursion through America?s heartland.

Whether you're looking to fill an hour, an evening, an entire day, or 10 full days - Grand Excursion 2004 has numerous options that will work for groups or individual travelers. From June 25 through July 5, 2004, a flotilla of magnificent riverboats will travel from the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul to celebrate the renaissance of the upper Mississippi River region.

The riverboats will arrive in Saint Paul on July 3rd and citizens and visitors alike will greet the flotilla with pomp and circumstance worthy of this incredible event. Along with the free shoreline activities, there will be several opportunities to book breakfast, lunch, dinner, moonlight, harbor, day-long and parade cruises. Ticket prices range from $24 for a one-hour excursion to $148 for a day-long port-to-port cruise with three meals. All ticket options aboard participating vessels can be viewed and ordered via the web site www.grandexcursion.com or by calling 1-866-GEX-2004. Tickets for charters, groups of 20 or more or all inclusive 11-day cruises from St. Louis to Saint Paul aboard the deluxe Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen, two of the participating vessels, can also be purchased by calling the ticketing number 1-866-GEX-2004.

As the final destination of the 400-mile Grand Flotilla, Saint Paul host committee leaders have put together a litany of events and welcome ceremonies worthy of this celebration of the upper Mississippi, which coincides with the 150th anniversary of Saint Paul?s incorporation as a city. On the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, the world?s largest balloon arch will frame the Mississippi downtown Saint Paul, while the Taste of Minnesota festival takes place on Harriet Island. You will not want to be anywhere other than Saint Paul on July 3-4, 2004.

Saint Paul is celebrating its river heritage throughout 2004 and numerous events will take place during the year. Special performances include weekend staging of Grand Excursion, the Musical, by the Great American History Theatre, a Mississippi River Traveling Revue song and dance show aboard the Minnesota Centennial Showboat at Harriet Island and specially commissioned Grand Excursion works by the Minnesota Chamber Orchestra. Special exhibits include The Audubon Ark, a traveling river education boat, the Cloudy Waters exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, the History of Rowing on the Mississippi at the Minnesota Boat Club, the New Science Park at the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, a tribute to the city's history as the most prominent mill town in the Midwest. For a complete listing of community activities as well as descriptions and itineraries of each of the participating boats please visit the Grand Excursion website www.grandexcursion.com.

For group itinerary planning assistance for Grand Excursion, contact Mark Dziuk, 651-265-4906 or 800-627-6101 x4906, [email protected]

Groups will also enjoy two great attractions along the downtown Mississippi Riverfront this season. The Paradise Lady yacht, operated by Paradise Charter Cruises expands the options for "on-board" entertainment in the Twin Cities, while the new Mississippi River Visitor Center at the Science Museum helps visitors learn more about our nation?s magnificent waterway, and how they can enjoy its recreational opportunities. While planning itineraries along the riverfront, be sure to leave plenty of time for two of the largest and most interesting museums on its banks, the Science Museum of Minnesota in Saint Paul and the new Mill City Museum in Minneapolis.

Paradise Lady Yacht
Raspberry Island, Saint Paul, MN
(opening April, 2004)
The newest excursion vessel on Saint Paul?s Mississippi Riverfront is the Paradise Lady, a 96 ft. 150-passenger yacht moored on Raspberry Island on downtown?s riverfront. The Paradise Lady will be available for evening cocktail or dinner cruises as well as afternoon or Sunday Brunch excursions. Paradise Charter Cruises will offer full meal and bar service via its in-house caterer, and a wide variety of entertainment and themed cruises will also be available. This is an outstanding new way to enjoy the beauty of one of Saint Paul?s most treasured natural assets, the Mississippi River, in luxurious style and comfort.
Contact: David James Lawrance, Paradise Charter Cruises, 952-474-8058, [email protected]
www.paradisechartercruises.com

Mississippi River Visitor Center ? National Park Service
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 West Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a National Park which winds its way through the Twin Cities and includes downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis as well as locks and dams, water falls, scenic overlooks and many regional parks. The Visitor Center housed in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota is operated by the National Park Service and features dynamic exhibits, programs, and trip planning help for the entire National Park system. Floor graphics and detailed maps help orient visitors to the area and exhibits teach about the industry, culture and ecology of the river. The center also offers an excellent assortment of books, gifts and souvenirs as well as area attraction information. Interpretive tours for groups and step-on guide service by National Park Rangers is available on a limited basis, upon request. Tours can also be combined with the Mississippi River Gallery within the Science Museum or with the new Science Museum Park opening in 2004. Tour arrangements must be made in advance.
Contact: Ann Sarnecki, 651-209-3030 x 234 (groups)
Lyndon Torstenson, 651-290-3030 x232 (school groups)
www.nps.gov/miss

Saint Paul also has a terrific new hotel property to offer visitors to the area. Wildwood Lodge is a luxurious 99-room property, conveniently located along I-94 ten minutes east of downtown Saint Paul in Lake Elmo This boutique hotel offers big city amenities in a spacious suburban setting. The luxurious lobby welcomes guests with a stunning fieldstone fireplace and the décor throughout features a soothing palate of creams, taupe, browns, black and pewter. Custom designed sculptures and paintings add texture and interest to both the guestrooms and common areas. Six meeting rooms offer over 6000 sq ft of function space, and the airy atrium pool area is ideal for receptions.
The guestrooms offer 15 different suite plans, and each spacious room features sleek black pivot desks, two phones with voice mail, complimentary high-speed internet access, 12-cup coffee maker and featherbed mattress and comforter with goose down pillows. All guests also enjoy complimentary breakfast at the adjacent Machine Shed Restaurant, which offers hearty breakfast fare groups are sure to love.
Contact: Joel Larson, Director of Sales, 651-714-8068, [email protected]
www.thewildwoodlodge.com

Images are available by emailing Pat Laurel at [email protected] or calling 651-265-4921.