Public invited to attend dedication of Itasca State Park's Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center on Sept. 10 (2005-08-25)

more information on the new Mary Gibbs Center.

The public is invited to the dedication of the new Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center and Interpretive Plaza at Itasca State Park on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The event will give visitors a chance to tour the $2.5 million building, walk across the Headwaters of the Mississippi River and find out more about the park by participating in interpretive programs and activities scheduled throughout the day.

Beginning at 10 a.m., refreshments will be served and guests can talk with the Headwaters Center architect, park naturalists and artists who created the exhibits and displays and others who played a significant role in the development of the Headwaters Center.

The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by tours of the plaza and center. There will also be programs, presentations and demonstrations throughout the day. Guests can bring their own picnic lunch or purchase lunch in the restaurant located in the Headwaters Center building.

"We invite everyone to attend and enjoy the tours, musical entertainment, dedication ceremonies, interpretive tours and programs on Saturday," said Itasca State Park Manager Michael Kovacovich. "Guests can explore the park, bike, canoe, or hike among the fall colors on Sunday."

"This will be a landmark event for the park and the people of Minnesota," he continued. "We look forward to hosting visitors for a wonderful weekend of programs and activities that showcase the cultural and natural resources, facilities and treasures in this historic state park. We especially encourage those who may not have been here since their childhood when they walked across the Mississippi River Headwaters, to come visit again."

Kovacovich said the park has several parking areas and free buses will be available on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to shuttle visitors from stops at Douglas Lodge, the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center.

For camping or other overnight reservations, contact the state park reservation service toll free at 1-866-85PARKS (1-866-857-2757) or make reservations online at www.stayatmnparks.com.

For more information on grand opening programs and events, contact Itasca State Park at (218) 266-2100 or call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free at 1-888-(MINNDNR) 646-6367.

ONGOING TOURS AND PROGRAMS, SATURDAY, SEPT. 10.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

- Paddling the Voyageur's Highway, Lakeside below Brower Inn / playground area. Replica voyageur canoes leaving every 45 minutes

- Step Back in Time: The Voyageur Encampment, Lakeside below Brower Inn / playground area. Re-creation of voyageur camp

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

- Eyes Above the Trees: Fire Towers of the United States, Aiton Heights Fire Tower. A look at a variety of towers with David Quam from the Forest Fire Lookout Association

Noon - 3 p.m.

- Kayaking the Mississippi with Ron Severs, Headwaters Post. Sharing adventure stories about kayaking the Mississippi

- Face Painting, Headwaters Plaza Face painting for kids and adults with a Mississippi River theme

Noon - 4 p.m.

"On the Edge of Itasca," Headwaters Plaza

- Author Ren Holland will be signing his book about the people and places encircling the park

- "Minnesota Eats Out" and "Minnesota Vacation Days," Headwaters Plaza

- Author Linda Koutsky will sign her book about Minnesota restaurants and resorts (featuring Douglas Lodge) and her new book on Minnesota vacation spots

- "Common Plants of Itasca State Park," Headwaters Plaza

- David Biesboer and Anita Cholewa, University of Minnesota professions/authors will be on hand to sign books and discuss Itasca's fascinating plants

- Drawn to the Outdoors: Discovering Nature Through Art, Headwaters Bridge

- Natural history sketching demonstration and hands-on experience by Jeff Kitterman

- Animal Tracks Nature Cart, Headwaters Plaza with Park Naturalist Retta James-Gasser, identify tracks of Itasca's mammals as guest stamp animal prints

12:20 p.m. and 3 p.m.

- Natural History Hike, Headwaters Veranda. Learn about Itasca's natural history on a hike along the Schoolcraft Trail with student naturalist, Krista Tommerdahl

12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

- History of the Headwaters Tour, Headwaters Veranda. Walk to the headwaters with Matt Bahar and discuss area exploration and history

12:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.

- Mary Gibbs at the Headwaters Walk, Headwaters Veranda.Stroll the Mississippi and learn about Mary Gibbs and her time at Itasca from Connie Cox, Itasca park naturalist

2 to 4 p.m.

- Historic Sites Bicycle Tour, Itasca Sports Rental / Itasca boat landing area. Four-mile bike tour of Itasca's historic sites led by members of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota

4 - 5 p.m.

- "One Good Story," Brower Inn. Slide presentation by Ron Severs about kayaking the Mississippi River, the basis for his book

7 p.m.

- Stepping Stones - concert, Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. Sing along with Charlie Maguire in his fun-filled concert for the whole family.

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