An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River: Take Me to the River
Join us for the big river's biggest night
BUY TICKETS
We're thrilled to welcome you back to our annual fall fundraiser for the first time in two years. This year, we've reimagined the evening with brand-new river experiences designed to immerse you in our work to protect and restore the river.
Event program
5:00 pm Check-in commences, cash bar and passed appetizers
6:00 pm River experiences (*see below for descriptions of the four experiences)
6:45 pm Buffet opens
7:30 pm Seated program begins
8:10 pm Program concludes
Experience the river your way
Kick off the evening by choosing your own adventure from four river-focused experiences in and around the historic Nicollet Island Pavilion. You'll have the option of a behind-the-scenes tour of Saint Anthony Falls Labs, a hands-on prairie restoration, a clean water science and food tasting featuring innovative river-friendly crops, or arts activities inspired by the Mississippi River. There's an experience for everyone!
As the evening unfolds, you'll savor seasonal fare, enjoy the excitement of our river-inspired live auction and raffle, and hear about our work to achieve our vision of a transformed and thriving Mississippi River. The night also offers the perfect opportunity to connect with our river community.
Purchase tickets by September 10 to secure your spot on the adventure of your choice. Space is limited.
River experiences
You must choose only one experience when purchasing a ticket. All experiences will happen simultaneously. Space is limited, and tickets may sell out.
Lock, Dam & Learn: A Visit to the Saint Anthony Falls Lab*
Go behind the scenes at the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) with our Land Use & Planning team and FMR Board Member & SAFL's River Historian John Anfinson. Explore the fascinating work happening at SAFL, learn about its partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River, and dive into the big questions shaping the future of the Mississippi River's locks and dams, including FMR's current dam removal feasibility study.
Accessibility: Attendees need to be able to step up into a charter/school bus. People need to use stairs and walk through tight spaces in SAFL. You must wear closed-toed shoes to enter SAFL.
*Bus boards at 5:45 pm
Prairie Party: Seeds, Science & Restoration
Immerse yourself in nature with FMR's Land Conservation team at the Nicollet Island prairie restoration site. Explore a restored prairie, hand-seed the site, collect native seeds, and learn about FMR's pollinator survey work. Come ready to dig into the science behind restoring vital river habitat. As part of the experience, you will walk in knee-high vegetation. FMR recommends wearing closed-toed shoes and pants.
Accessibility: Attendees will walk approximately 0.7 miles round trip to a restoration site via paved or crushed-gravel paths. Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
Eat, Drink & Protect the River: A Clean Water Crops Experience
Discover how agriculture can be part of the solution for cleaner water. Join FMR's Water team to learn about clean water crops and the Forever Green Initiative through interactive science demonstrations and a clean water crop tasting.
Accessibility: This event is in Nicollet Island Pavilion with no accessibility limitations.
Make Your Mark: Art & Advocacy for the River
Get creative for the river! Join FMR's Stewardship & Education team and local artist Kim Boustead for a hands-on art experience using natural inks to create one-of-a-kind prints.
Accessibility: Attendees need to be able to stand for the majority of this experience.
Thank you to our generous corporate sponsors!
Become an event sponsor
Sponsors provide vital financial support, helping to cover the event costs, expand outreach, and enhance credibility, all while allowing Friends of the Mississippi River to stay focused on our mission. In return, sponsors gain visibility and goodwill, along with exclusive benefits only available to our generous sponsors.
Corporate opportunities
For more information, please check out our corporate sponsorship kit or contact FMR Development Director Sara DeKok at sdekok@fmr.org.
Individual opportunities
For more information, please check out our individual sponsorship kit or contact FMR Individual Gifts Officer Tessa Enroth at tenroth@fmr.org.
Questions?
If you wish to RSVP by phone or have an accessibility- or disability-related request to make your evening more enjoyable, please contact John Briel at 651-477-0910.