WORLD RECORD HUG: World Peace & Prayer Day

               RSVP for the GREAT MINNESOTA GROUP HUG!

IMAGINE

Getting off light rail / shuttle busses from satellite parking lots and walking with people from around the world onto the Mendota Bridge (Highway 55) Minnesota USA... closed down for live music...lots of energy as people get closer to the bridge...

Walking along the trail and stepping onto the bridge that crosses over the Minnesota River...Meeting new people from around the world who are here for World Peace and Prayer Day...aborigines...Tibetan monks...bushmen from New Zealand...indigenous tribes...standing next to a hockey player from the suburbs, next to a Jewish Rabbi from Jerusalem, next to a Catholic Priest from Canada, next to a new Minnesotan from Somalia, next to your mayor, next to a kid from Minneapolis, next to a grandpa from Saint Paul, next to a Dad pushing a stroller with his kids, next to the friends who came with YOU... With free admission to the Historic Fort Snelling and an open house at the Fort Snelling Chapel, there is plenty to see and experience until you hear it's time to line up for the final ascent to the bridge.

IMAGINE

Watching to the east to the top of Pilot Knob where you see the First Nations Peace Riders on horseback to pray at Bdote--a Dakota sacred site-- as part of World Peace and Prayer Day 2011 activities.  Chief Arvol Looking Horse will be leading Mayors from several communities and other dignitaries to the center of the bridge where he leads a prayer in the Four Directions. 

Getting the signal that it's time for the World Record Hug... stand in unity, a side by side hug...that shatters the current Guinness Record.

When it's over, cheers erupt as people begin taking pictures ...swapping stories and gifts.

Afterwards participating in a traditional friendship dance called the round dance, listening to live music or watching the Dakota 38 and Dakota Creation story movie at the Boy Scout Base Camp building (various times starting at 4:30 PM)

Posting your pictures online and bragging to your friends on Facebook that you are part of the new world record... 

Don't be the one watching this on the news and wishing you were part of this amazing once-in-a-lifetime day where you were part of something this big and fun and meaningful!  Create a memory and bring someone to share it with.

PURPOSE:

1) Come with your friends and family for a fun afternoon -- stretch your legs during this healing walk in a beautiful cultural and historic area.

2) Welcome the PEACE RIDERS who are coming on horse back from across North America and World Peace and Prayer Day participants from around the world;

3) Help bring healing in the Dakota community as we acknowledge their sacred place called Bdote --150 years after the 1862 US -Dakota Indian war when they were forcibly removed from Minnesota.  Let's welcome them and set the tone for this commemorative year!

4) Join together to pray that God will heal the Earth and heal relationships between all people & nations, starting in our own neighborhoods

5) Have an amazing amount of fun with thousands of new friends

6) Spend time with your Dad/Grandpa/Father figures on Father's Day

7) SET A NEW WORLD RECORD!

MORE DETAILS
Sign up to get updates about parking and other event updates
Check the WPPD site 
Those with special needs will use all available onsite parking--plan to take light rail transit or ride shuttle buses from satellite locations.

THIS TICKET IS GOOD FOR FREE ENTRANCE INTO HISTORIC FORT SNELLING June 19 2011    12-5 PM

WHERE IS BDOTE, MINNESOTA?
The meeting of the Mississippi and Minnesota River is sacred to the Dakota. The confluence of these two rivers --  "Bdote" -- (pronounced bdoh-tay) has historically been the meeting place. It's in the middle of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota USA.  Look for Fort Snelling State Park and the Mendota Bridge-- that's the area. The places within the Bdote area include Historic Fort Snelling, Boy Scout Basecamp, Nieman Fields, Fort Snelling State Park, Pilot Knob, Historic Mendota.  There will be tours and educational opportunities available of this area.

Bdote is the Dakota's Garden of Eden  -- they believe this is the site of their creation. This is also a site of genocide because of the 1862 concentration camp at Fort Snelling where 1700 Dakota women, children and elderly were held; those who survived the winter were sent to reservations across North America, exiled from their homeland.

GUINNESS RECORD ATTEMPT DETAILS:
More event details will be posted on the WPPD site as they are confirmed. Check in will begin approximately 1:30 PM. Enjoy live music and meet new friends while we get lined up in the staging areas and move to the bridge awaiting the signal.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE
All are invited to come join the fun!
To count for the world record, complete the registration process and sign the waiver provided. Those under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or other adult supervisor over 21.

REGISTER HERE
Please RSVP today and invite your friends!  By signing up you are automatically registered  for cool prizes that will be drawn including gift certificates, free tickets to upcoming events in Minnesota.

BRING WITH YOU:

1) YOUR TICKET

2) A GIFT to share with someone you meet.  Regifting is fun...bring something small that represents where you are from or your family and share the story as you share yor gift.  Bring several items if you want to come home with several new keepsakes. 

3) WATER CONTAINER: There will be water stations along the way, but you need something to fill!  To protect the environment, this event is not like the state fair with vendors.  Bring your own snacks/sack lunches with you and be sure to haul out your trash. ( And yes there are washrooms / on site sanitation available on either end of the bridge). This is an alcohol-free event.

4) DONATION: Please give as you are able.  Suggested donation $5/person

AFTER THE HUG:

Stay for other World Peace and Prayer festivities including guest speakers & live music.  Participate in an authentic American Indian dance, take a historic/cultural tour, have your picture taken at the World Record sign & stay for an outdoor concert. 
ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE BUT SEATS ARE LIMITED TO SOME EVENTS.
Register for other tickets starting June 1.

Expand your world: Check out the other events through Tuesday June 21.

www.worldpeaceandprayerday2011.org