FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marilyn Snyder
December 10, 2007
(701) 328-2792

NORTH DAKOTANS INVITED TO CELEBRATE SNOW ANGELS RECORD
IN GUINNESS BOOK; ALSO ENJOY OTHER SHOWCASE NORTH DAKOTA EVENTS

BISMARCK – North Dakotans of all ages and sizes are invited to enjoy some winter family fun in Bismarck celebrating North Dakota’s snow angel record of 2007 listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.  The celebration reception will take place Wednesday, December 26, at 12 noon in Memorial Hall in the state capitol building.  Governor John Hoeven and First Lady Mikey Hoeven have been invited to host the celebration.

The celebration is the kickoff event for Showcase North Dakota, a two-day festival of entertainment and art displays at the North Dakota Heritage Center, and Memorial Hall in the state capitol building.

Visitors are also encouraged to “be an angel” by bringing non-perishable items to help those in need during both days.  Drop spots for the donated items will be at vans parked in front of the state capitol building and in boxes at entries to the state capitol building (the south entrance), the North Dakota State Library, and the North Dakota Heritage Center.

Refreshments will be available throughout both days, courtesy of North Dakota state employees.  There will also be decorated Christmas trees on display in the west wing ground floor of the state capitol building.

“We want to make sure North Dakotans have a chance to celebrate this unique and very special world record,” said Marilyn Snyder, curator of education for the State Historical Society of North Dakota, who organized the record-setting event on the state capitol grounds February 17, 2007, when 8,962 “angels” beat the previous record of 3,784 set at Michigan Technical University in February 2006.  North Dakota was the original record holder when 1,791 people participated in March 2002.

Each participant in the record-breaking snow angel event who attends the December 26 celebration reception will receive a free replica of the Guinness Book of World Records certificate as a keepsake of the activity that attracted national and international media coverage.

Snow angel t-shirts, postcards, and “Season’s Greetings” holiday cards celebrating North Dakota’s snow angel record are available at the North Dakota Heritage Center Museum Store or by contacting Museum Stores Manager Rhonda Brown at (701) 328-2822, email at rhbrown@nd.gov, or order online at www.nd.gov/hist/museumstore while supplies last.  

For more information about Showcase North Dakota events, contact Marilyn Snyder at the State Historical Society of North Dakota by calling (701) 328-2792 or email at msnyder@nd.gov.

2007 Showcase North Dakota
Schedule of Events
December 26-27

Wednesday, December 26
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.   North Dakota Professional Art Show and Sale at the North Dakota Heritage Center, showcasing 18 artists and their work from throughout the state
Bismarck High School Student Art Show, Memorial Hall, State Capitol Building
11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.    Horse-drawn carriage rides on the Capitol Grounds Mall
12 Noon          Celebration reception of snow angels record in Guinness Book of World Records, Memorial Hall
1 to 1:50 p.m. Performances by the Fauske Fiddlers from Bottineau, Memorial Hall
1 to 2:30 p.m.  Performances by This Old Hat, North Dakota Heritage Center Auditorium
2 to 2:50 p.m.  American Ragtime music by Mark Learn, Memorial Hall
3 to 4 p.m.       Performances by This Old Hat, Memorial Hall
3 to 4 p.m.       Performances by the Fauske Fiddlers, North Dakota Heritage Center Auditorium

Thursday, December 27
9 a.m.-5 p.m.  North Dakota Professional Art Show and Sale at the North Dakota Heritage Center, showcasing 18 artists and their work from throughout the state Bismarck High School Student Art Show, Memorial Hall, State Capitol Building
1 to 1:50 p.m.  Capitol City Cloggers, Memorial Hall
1 to 1:50 p.m.  Performances by The Old Lady Thinks I’m Bowling, featuring musicians from Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota Heritage Center Auditorium
2 to 2:50 p.m.  American Ragtime music by Mark Learn, North Dakota Heritage Center Auditorium
2:30 to 4 p.m.  Performances by The Old Lady Thinks I’m Bowling, Memorial Hall
3 to 4 p.m.       Capitol City Cloggers, North Dakota Heritage Center Auditorium

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