The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum celebrates the opening of its new 40,000-square-foot facility on a 32-acre campus near Camp Ripley with three days of programming. The event also marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the commemoration of America’s 250 anniversary.

• Outdoor activities (ceremonies, concerts, vehicle displays, reenactors, food vendors, resource fairs) are free, rain or shine - no reservation needed.
• Museum gallery access requires a timed-entry reservation: members get presale access Aug 1–7; public tickets open Aug 8. Adults $5, youth (6–17) $2, kids 5 and under and active-duty military free.
• Free shuttle service runs from downtown Little Falls both Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, Sept. 11: A day of 9/11 remembrance, featuring firsthand-account theater programming, an evening screening of the documentary RESOLUTE: Minnesota Stories from the Post-9/11 Homefront, and the museum joining the national Tribute in Light by illuminating in blue.

Saturday, Sept. 12: The official Grand Opening Community Celebration: a ribbon cutting and Parade of Flags, military vehicle displays, Veteran-led talks at aircraft, tanks, and a submarine exhibit, a Veterans Recognition ceremony, live music from Mason Dixon Line, a keynote from retired Gen. Paul M. Nakasone (former head of U.S. Cyber Command/NSA) and narrated historic warbird flyovers.

Sunday, Sept. 13: Programming honoring Minnesota's Global War on Terrorism Veterans, including two presentations by Rod Rodriguez of the National GWOT Memorial Foundation, plus a hot air balloon flight, family activities, and continued vehicle and aircraft displays.

More information is available at the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum website.