Day 1: Welcome to the 153rd Convention
Welcome to the 153rd National Grange Convention in Bloomington, Minnesota, a part of the greater Minneapolis- St. Paul metropolitan area. There are many great activities available throughout the next week and a good deal of work to be done.
Guest speakers during the convention include Agriculture Committee Chairman, Rep. Collin Peterson and Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, Thom Petersen.
Emalee Culver, of Illinois, is captaining the registration desk. She notes, “We have a lot of people signed up to help us. I’m really looking forward to this session.”
New delegate training began at 10 AM Monday in Atrium 3 and the new delegate luncheon occurred at noon in Atrium 7.
Admission of Fourth Degree members will begin Tuesday at 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday includes the Distinguished Grange Awards at 5:30 p.m. in Plaza 5/6 emceed by National Overseer, Phil Prelli and the #GRANGEstory Slam at 9 p.m. in the Veranda BR hosted by the Communication Fellows. Grange Story Slam is a new event and all are welcome to check it out.
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our order and in society at large will be demonstrated with committee reports and actions, election of officers, and directors’ reports beginning Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in Veranda BR.
The Grand Ballroom will host the Evening of Excellence on Friday at 7:30pm and the conferral of the Seventh Degree at 11 a.m.
After the Celebration Banquet on Saturday night, join us for a final time of gathering at the dance in the Grand Ballroom.
This location also provides the unique opportunity for a visit to the farm of Grange founder Oliver Hudson Kelley. A tour for delegates occurred Monday at 9 a.m. and two more will follow, one Youth and General Tour at 9 a.m. Thursday, and one Junior Grange Tour at 10 a.m. Friday. Also notable is that Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis is the resting place of another grange founder, Caroline Hall.
If you find yourself with free time after the session before you leave the region, speak to our National Lecturer, Chris Hamp, about the sites to see in the area. She has already spent a good deal of time touring the region and has many pictures to share.
The Metro area has two main cities and downtowns, Minneapolis and St. Paul because of the unique geography of this part of the Mississippi River. St. Paul, and before it Fort Snelling, were built around the northernmost navigable point of the Mississippi river and the confluence of it and the Minnesota River. While closed for the season, Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote can be viewed from both the I-494 bridge across the Mississippi, or the Fort Snelling-Mendota Bridge which has some historic significance in its own right.
Minneapolis was built around St. Anthony Falls in order to harness the power of the falls for milling flour. Hence, Minneapolis is the home of both Pillsbury and General Mills. The museum at these falls, Mill City Museum, feeds your curiosity about Minnesota’s stories, people, and places. Built within the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is packed with fun for all ages. The falls are also viewable from a historic bridge, Stone Arch Bridge.
Minnesota Host Committee Member Donna Champion wants to remind everyone to, “Have fun.”
Special thanks to the hosting State Granges of the Great Lakes Region: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and most especially Minnesota.
