Minneapolis (August 21, 2018) – Nicollet will be buzzing with the most excitement its seen since Super Bowl LIVE when approximately 3,000 members of The American Legion march through downtown Minneapolis on Sunday, August 26. The public is invited to line Nicollet for the parade that starts at 5th Street and continues to 12th Street, as these military veterans join in a community celebration to mark their 100th National Convention, which takes place at the Minneapolis Convention Center. In addition to honoring the wartime veterans who are marching, parade watchers will be treated to an extravaganza that includes floats, marching bands, color guards and horses.

“It’s an honor to once again bring this respected organization to Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant, who noted the city last hosted The American Legion in 2011. “This year cements the strong historic ties Minneapolis has to The American Legion. It’s a relationship we value, as this group of two million members continues to highlight Minneapolis as a great place to visit and conduct business.”

Minneapolis was the backdrop for the organization’s first national convention in 1919. Sunday’s historic parade is the largest public event marking the organization’s 100th National Convention, which will be held August 24-30, with an anticipated 10,000* attendees in downtown Minneapolis. Two additional public events will be a color guard competition Friday, August 24, and a band competition Saturday, August 25.

Details for Public Events:

• Color Guard Contest – 5 p.m. on August 24 Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall B Level 1
• Band Competition – 1 p.m. on August 25 at Minneapolis Convention Center, Auditorium Level 1
• The American Legion Parade – 4 p.m. on August 26 Nicollet between 5th Street and 12th Street

The American Legion’s 100th National Convention will continue its legacy of work that began in Minneapolis, advocating on behalf of veterans, including extensive work on the original GI Bill and the post 9/11 GI Bill providing more education benefits for veterans.

“The American Legion, founded by returning World War I veterans, held its first national convention in Minneapolis in November of 1919. At that convention, patriotic American service members laid the foundation of what would become our nation’s largest veteran service organization,” said Denise Rohan, National Commander of The American Legion. “Today, with more than 12,000 posts around the world, The American Legion is proud to kick off its Centennial Celebration in Minneapolis – right back where it all began.”

*Anticipated attendance numbers provided by The American Legion and subject to change.

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ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is owned by the City of Minneapolis and marketed through Meet Minneapolis. The 1.6 million square foot facility features 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 3,400 fixed-seat auditorium, 87 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. The MCC is both LEED and GMIC certified, and works to serve its constituencies and stakeholders as the face of Minneapolis to visitors. Through its efforts, the MCC helps sustain nearly 7,500 jobs in the community.

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Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

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