Online reservation tickets now available for grand opening of Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
LITTLE FALLS — Tickets for the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum’s Grand Opening Weekend became available to museum email subscribers and the general public beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at www.mnvetmuseum.org.
The museum will officially open its new 40,000-square-foot facility Sept. 11-13, during a three-day celebration featuring the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, historic warbird flyovers, veteran-led experiences, family activities, historical reenactors, live music, military vehicles and programs honoring veterans from every generation of service.
Because capacity inside the new museum is limited, visitors who wish to tour the museum galleries during Grand Opening Weekend must obtain a timed-entry ticket online in advance. Opening-day reservations are expected to fill quickly, and visitors are encouraged to reserve as soon as tickets become available. If a visitor’s preferred Grand Opening Weekend date or time is unavailable, gallery tickets for dates after September 13 are also available for purchase online.
All outdoor Grand Opening Weekend activities remain free and open to the public, and no ticket or reservation is required to participate in outdoor programming. Visitors should be aware, however, that space on the museum grounds is also limited and attendance may be restricted if the campus reaches capacity.
“The response to our grand opening has been extraordinary, and we expect demand for museum admission—particularly on Saturday—to be very strong,” said Randal Dietrich, executive director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum. “If touring the museum galleries is an important part of your visit, please reserve your timed-entry tickets online as soon as they become available. Even after gallery reservations are filled, there will be an incredible amount for visitors to experience outdoors throughout the weekend.”
Tickets available online
Timed-entry reservations for the museum galleries are available to the public.
Museum email subscribers will receive the ticket information directly, and the reservation link will also be available to the general public through www.mnvetmuseum.org.
Advance online reservations are required for Grand Opening Weekend gallery admission. Visitors should not plan to rely on purchasing museum admission after arriving on site.
If Grand Opening Weekend reservations are unavailable for a visitor’s preferred date or time, tickets to tour the museum galleries after Sept. 13 may also be purchased online.
Museum gallery admission:
- Adults: $5
- Youth ages 6-17: $2
- Children age 5 and younger: free
- Currently serving military personnel: free
Museum members receive complimentary admission as part of their membership but must also reserve a timed-entry slot.
Outdoor activities are free and open to everyone
Visitors do not need a museum gallery ticket to participate in the extensive outdoor Grand Opening Weekend celebration. Outdoor attendance is subject to available space on the museum campus.
Outdoor activities—including ceremonies, concerts, military vehicle displays, historical reenactors, veterans resource exhibits, food vendors and veteran-guided outdoor experiences—are free and open to the public, rain or shine.
Located on a 32-acre campus just outside the gates of Camp Ripley, the new Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum provides an expansive exploration of Minnesota’s military history through immersive exhibits, restored military vehicles and aircraft, interactive galleries, archival collections and more than 25,000 artifacts.
The museum tells the stories of Minnesotans who have served from the Civil War through today.
Friday, Sept. 11
Honoring the 25th Anniversary of Sept. 11
Grand Opening Weekend begins Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. with programming honoring those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, while recognizing the military personnel, first responders and families who answered the nation’s call during the Global War on Terrorism.
Visitors will experience the September 11th Minnesota Voices Theater, featuring firsthand accounts from Minnesotans on 9/11.
At 7 p.m., the museum will screen the new documentary “RESOLUTE: Minnesota Stories from the Post-9/11 Homefront.”
The evening will conclude at 8 p.m. with the museum’s participation in the national Tribute in Light initiative. Sponsored by Minnesota Power, the museum will be illuminated in blue as a symbol of remembrance and unity.
Friday Schedule
1 p.m.
Doors open to the public; September 11th Minnesota Voices Theater opens
7 p.m.
Documentary screening: RESOLUTE: Minnesota Stories from the Post-9/11 Homefront
8 p.m.
Tribute in Light, sponsored by Minnesota Power
Saturday, Sept. 12
Grand Opening Community Celebration
Saturday will feature the museum’s official Grand Opening Community Celebration.
Visitors can enjoy a full day of military vehicle displays, living-history demonstrations, family activities, food vendors, guided experiences, veteran resource organizations, historical reenactors, outdoor exhibits and live entertainment.
Highlights include veteran-led talks at the museum’s air, land and sea displays; recognition of Minnesota veterans; a National Service Resource Fair; and the official Grand Opening Ceremony featuring keynote remarks by retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency.
The afternoon will also feature narrated historic warbird flyovers and live performances by Minnesota country band Mason Dixon Line.
Saturday Schedule
All day
National Service Resource Fair, military vehicle displays and veteran-led talks at tanks, aircraft and the submarine display
10 a.m.
Ribbon Cutting and Parade of Flags
noon
Beer tent and food trucks open
1 p.m.
Veteran-led talks at aircraft, tanks and the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul submarine display
2 p.m.
Veterans Recognition, honoring all eras of military service
3 p.m.
Mason Dixon Line: Live Music
4 p.m.
Official Welcome and Grand Opening Ceremony, featuring keynote remarks by retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone
4:30 p.m.
Narrated Historic Warbird Flyovers
5 p.m.
Mason Dixon Line: Final Performance
Complimentary shuttle service from downtown Little Falls will operate throughout the day for visitors attending both the museum celebration and the annual Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Honoring Minnesota’s Global War on Terrorism Veterans
Grand Opening Weekend concludes Sunday with programming dedicated to Minnesota’s post-9/11 veterans and their families.
Special guest Rod Rodriguez, president and CEO of the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, will deliver two presentations during a day of reflection honoring those who answered the nation’s call following September 11, 2001.
Visitors can also participate in guided museum experiences, family activities, historical displays and community programming focused on Minnesota’s Global War on Terrorism veterans and their families.
Complimentary shuttle service from downtown Little Falls will again be available throughout the day.
Sunday Schedule
All day
National Service Resource Fair, military vehicle displays and veteran-led talks at tanks, aircraft and the submarine display
11 a.m.
Minnesota and Our National War Memorials
Presentation by Rod Rodriguez, president and CEO of the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
1 p.m.
Minnesota and Our National War Memorials
Presentation by Rod Rodriguez
Afternoon
Freedom Flight Hot Air Balloon