The DFL’s State Fair schedule

Minnesota’s DFL party has released its schedule of State Fair activities. The speeches and discussions will invite citizen involvement in the 2012 elections and get the DFL’s message out to thousands of fairgoers. All these events take place at the DFL Pavilion, located at Cooper Street and Dan Patch Avenue.  Here is the full schedule of events:
Thursday, August 25th

12:45 pm – Kick off of DFL programming & remarks by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman

1:00 pm – DFL, the Next Generation
A discussion of the importance of political engagement for young people, what’s at stake for the next generation, and opportunities for young people to get involved in politics and run for office.

Scheduled speakers:
Rep. Carly Melin, Minnesota House of Representatives
Rep. Kate Knuth, Minnesota House of Representatives
Matt Little, Lakeville City Council
Abou Amara, Minnesota Young DFL
Bennett Smith, Minnesota Young DFL

Friday, August 26th

1:00pm – A Woman’s Place is in Office
A discussion about breaking through barriers, the role of gender in elections, current issues facing women, and efforts to recruit and elect more female candidates.

Scheduled speakers:
Rep. Erin Murphy, Minnesota House of Representatives
Dee Long, former Speaker of the Minnesota House
Sarah Taylor Nanista, President of WomenWinning
Laura Nevitt, Chair DFL Feminist Caucus

Sunday, August 28th

1:00pm – 2012 or Bust
A discussion about what’s at stake in the next elections and the why the DFL is poised to take back the majorities in the Minnesota House and Senate.

Scheduled speakers:
Ken Martin, DFL Chair
Rep. Paul Thissen, House Minority Leader
Senator TBA

Monday, August 29th

1:00pm – Why Marriage Matters
A discussion about why marriage matters to loving & committed couples, and the fight against the 2012 amendment to ban marriage in the constitution.

Scheduled speakers:
Sen. Scott Dibble, Minnesota State Senate
Monica Meyer, Outfront Minnesota
Ann Kaner-Roth, Project 515
Denny Smith, Winning Marriage Equality

Tuesday, August 30th

1:00pm – The “F” in DFL
A discussion about the importance of the rural and farm economies in Minnesota, and the history of the partnership between the DFL and farmers around the state.

Scheduled speakers:
Sen. Tony Lourey, farmer from Kerrick, MN
Doug Peterson, President of Minnesota Farmers Union
Eunice Biel, dairy farmer from Harmony, MN

Wednesday, August 31st

1:00pm – Educating the Future
A discussion about why public education matters, the challenges and rewards teachers face, and the fight for education during policy debates in Minnesota.

Scheduled speakers:
Rep. Jim Davnie, legislator & teacher
Ryan Vernosh, 2010 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Charlene Briner, Minnesota Dept. of Education

Thursday, September 1st

1:00pm – Where We’ve Been
A discussion about the DFL Party’s rich history, and activists’ favorite stories of past candidates and DFL involvement.

Scheduled speakers:
Hyman Berman, Historian and former University of Minnesota professor
Wy Spano, Director of Masters of Advocacy and Political Leadership at University of Minnesota – Duluth
John Martin, DFL Senior Caucus
Jackie Stevenson, DFL Senior Caucus

Friday, September 2nd

1:00pm – Nine Months of Leadership
A discussion with the Lt. Governor on the eve of the Dayton Administration’s 9-month anniversary.

Scheduled speakers:
Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon
Ken Martin, DFL Party Chair

Saturday, September 3rd

1:00pm – Progressive Politics 2.0
How social media, blogs, and bloggers are changing progressive politics and how new media can be used successfully for campaigns and elected officials.

Scheduled speakers:
Joe Bodell, Minnesota Progressive Project
Eric Pusey, Minnesota Progressive Project
Jeff Rosenberg, MN Publius