Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Saint Paul Delights Holiday Visitors With a Winter Wonderland of Activities
(Saint Paul, MN) The Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau is planning to dazzle visitors this winter with an array of festivals and events that fit well with the city's charming European ambiance and enchanting snowfalls. There is perhaps no more beautiful backdrop for a city than Saint Paul's Landmark Center on Rice Park, which will be a focal point this year as its trees sparkle with millions of twinkling lights creating a fairy tale glow beneath softly falling snow. "Saint Paul has a huge variety of events and activities that draw residents and visitors alike to visit downtown to enjoy all the special events, theatrical performances and exhibits of the season," said Brad Toll, vice president of tourism for the Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Our parks are filled with sparkling lights beginning with the Holiday season and extending well the beginning of the New Year. The Saint Paul Hotel, located on Rice Park, will offer special holiday themed teas on select Saturdays including a Holiday Decorating Tea on 11/27, a Candy Cane Tea on 12/12 and Teas with Scrooge featuring a live performance by Gerald Charles Dickens 12/20-23. The list of holiday special events is dizzying, but for starters, there is Festival of Trees at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel on 11/12-13, the Skandia Festival at Landmark Center 11/16, Holiday Wine Tasting on Grand Avenue 11/18, a Gingerbread Craft Show at RiverCentre 11/19 and the celebration of the Hmong New Year at RiverCentre 11/26. Shopping is first and foremost on many minds in November and December and the city offers an array of wonderful stores and special events where visitors can browse for that unique gift. December kicks off with two terrific shopping opportunities - the Grand Meander on Saint Paul's Grand Avenue 12/4-5 is a holiday celebration along a collection of specialty and boutique shops located just north of downtown near the Cathedral and stately Summit Avenue. Visit the decked out one-of-a-kind shops, listen to carolers, ride trolleys and take the tots to Breakfast with Santa. That same weekend, Landmark Center downtown will feature its annual holiday bazaar, a must see for specialty gifts or new holiday items to spruce up your home. Don't forget your ice skates! Many visitors want to plan a stop at Mall of America, the nation's largest shopping and entertainment center featuring 520 specialty shops including anchors Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Sears. The Mall offers dozens of restaurants, theaters Camp Snoopy theme park and Underwater Adventures, a 1.2 million gallon aquarium. Mall of America is located just 10 minutes from Saint Paul and is open daily. Saint Paul also has wonderful gift shops within many of its fabulous museums, making it a great way to combine family fun and gift shopping. Check out the shops within the Minnesota History Center, the Minnesota Children's Museum and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Make sure to save time to see all the exhibits, including the Omnifilm Forces of Nature and the spectacular new Chinasaurs exhibit coming November 10 to the Science Museum of Minnesota. "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" is a Smithsonian traveling exhibit that runs through May 15, 2005 at the Minnesota History Center. The Twin Cities area has more theater seats per capita than any other city with the exception of New York, so it's no surprise that many visitors combine holiday shopping and outdoor activities with theatrical performances while visiting Saint Paul. This season, the Ordway Centre for Performing Arts on Rice Park has a fabulous line up including Chicago 12/7-19, Ballet of the Dolls - Cinderella (performed in the McKnight Theatre) 12/8-31, A Christmas Concert with the Steeles 12/20 and On the Record: A New Musical 12/21 - 1/2/05. The Minnesota Opera will stage Madame Butterfly 11/6-14 and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra will perform throughout the season. Other theatrical offerings include A Tuna Christmas, performed by Actors Theatre aboard the Minnesota Centennial Showboat on the Mississippi River,11/26 - 12/18, A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater 11/22 - 12/26, Christmas of Swing at the Great American History Theatre 11/13-1/1/05, Ole & Lena Christmas 11/6-Jan 15 at Oops Interactive Dinner Theatre, Penumbra Theatre's Black Nativity 12/10-26 and a Heartland Holiday Concert with Peter Ostroushka presented by Minnesota Public Radio at the Fitzgerald Theater on 12/19. The Actors Theater of Minnesota presents a dinner performance of A Christmas Carol at the Harriet Island Pavilion throughout December. Saint Paul maintains its wintry glow well after the holidays, as the city celebrates the Saint Paul Winter Carnival January 28 through February 6, 2005. The nation's oldest winter festival features over 75 events including parades, car races on ice, marathons, pageantry and competitions. Rice Park and Landmark Plaza will be adorned with intricate ice carvings and snow sculptures, as well as the primary site of many carnival activities. The Minnesota State Capitol celebrates its 100^th birthday in 2005 and many activities and events will be planned around its centennial. This Minnesota landmark, designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert is considered one of the most beautiful capitols in the nation. For detailed information on festivals and events as well as performance and ticket information, visit the web site at www.visitsaintpaul.com and follow the Events Calendar link or call 1-800-627-6101. ### NOTE TO MEDIA: Digital images of many festivals and attractions are available. To request a CD of images or to have a selection emailed to you, please contact Pat Laurel, Publications and Graphics Coordinator at 651-265-4921 or [email protected].