Red Wing to host statewide Elks convention

Red Wing will play host this week to the Minnesota Elks Association State Convention.

Members from 26 Elks lodges throughout Minnesota will converge on the city Thursday through Sunday. This marks the third time the fraternal organization has held its convention in Red Wing since 1994.

"Everybody likes to come to Red Wing," Convention Chairperson and Red Wing lodge member Kevin Riegelman said.

He expects around 400 of the 10,000 statewide Elks members to make the trip. National Elks president James L. Nichelson will be at the convention throughout the week.

Convention events will move between the Red Wing Elks Lodge and the Sheldon Theatre, with a golf outing at the Red Wing Golf Club this Friday.

City officials are expecting an upswing in activity downtown over the weekend.

Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce President Patty Brown said that the convention, coupled with the annual Pajama Party Friday, should make for an interesting few days.

"I think downtown is going to be crazy this week," she said.

Brown said that the chamber had worked with the city's Visitor & Convention Bureau to welcome convention attendants to town.

The convention will be a good way to highlight the Elks' contributions to the larger community, Riegelman said. The Red Wing lodge has more than 500 members and sponsors a variety of programs and organizations.

"Our main objectives are helping youth and veterans," he said.

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