Governor Pawlenty Launches CivicFest Walleye School of Fish Competition

Governor Tim Pawlenty, along with the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, today launched the CivicFest Walleye School of Fish Competition, a statewide artistic competition open to Minnesota students interested in designing a 4-foot birch flat-board walleye decorated with materials specific to individual U.S. states or territories. Governor Pawlenty announced plans for the competition on his weekly radio show "Good Morning, Minnesota," live from the Governor's Fishing Opener in Breezy Point.

Winning designs will be displayed in an exhibit at CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration, which will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center August 29 - September 4, 2008, in conjunction with the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"Fishing and spending time outdoors with family and friends is part of Minnesota's heritage," Governor Pawlenty said. "The Walleye School of Fish Competition is a great fit with the mission of CivicFest - to provide an educational and entertaining experience for visitors - in a uniquely Minnesota way."

At the Governor's Fishing Opener this morning, Pawlenty displayed a 4-foot wooden walleye, decorated with a map of Minnesota and fishing lures, representing the more than 10,000 lakes in the state and the 2.3 million individuals that go fishing on those lakes annually.

"We developed this competition so students throughout Minnesota could have the opportunity to participate in CivicFest and to learn about other states and territories," said Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. "The Walleye School of Fish Competition would not be possible without the generous support of our exhibit sponsor, The Travelers Companies, Inc., who has been committed to supporting local civic and nonprofit organizations in St. Paul. Their sponsorship of the Walleye School of Fish Competition is an example of their continued commitment to the local community."

Students in grades seven and above in the 2008-09 school year are invited to choose a state or territory in the United States and research cultures, symbols, industries and events associated with that area, as well as develop a two-sided design on a paper walleye silhouette. The silhouette is available online at http://www.civicfest.org. The deadline to enter is July 1, 2008. Winning designs will be selected by CivicFest staff and a 4-foot birch flat-board walleye will be sent to each winning student artist to be decorated and then exhibited at CivicFest. A complete list of official rules for the Walleye School of Fish Competition can be found at http://www.civicfest.org. The walleye was chosen because it is Minnesota's State Fish.

Additional details about the CivicFest Walleye School of Fish competition are available online at http://www.civicfest.org.

About CivicFest

CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration is a family-friendly, once-in-a-lifetime interactive and multimedia experience, featuring more than 35 educational and entertaining exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency. CivicFest is being produced by Maxene Fernstrom for the Minneapolis, Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. For more information, visit http://www.civicfest.org.

About The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the entire region in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The Host Committee is made up of community leaders who are committed to educating people and businesses to come to Minnesota to work, live, play, visit and invest. For more information, visit http://www.msp2008.com.

Editor's note: Photo available from the Governor's Fishing Opener in Breezy Point today where Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the CivicFest Walleye School of Fish Competition. Contact Teresa McFarland at 651-677-2980 or 952-484-8088.