ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

FIRST-EVER PRIDE OF DAKOTA HARVEST SHOWCASE SET FOR DICKINSON

BISMARCK – Nearly  100 Pride of Dakota companies from across the state will converge on the  Dickinson Recreation Center, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, for the first-ever Pride of Dakota Harvest Showcase.

“We have had a lot of requests over the years for a Pride of Dakota showcase in western North Dakota, especially in Dickinson,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “It’s finally here, and I think both shoppers and vendors will agree it was worth the wait.”

Goehring said more than 90 companies have signed up for the event.

“That’s much the same as the Holiday Showcases in Minot and Grand Forks,” Goehring said. “These member companies will be selling foods and condiments, decorative items, jewelry, art, apparel and much more, all made right here in North Dakota by North Dakotans. Many of them will also be offering samples.”

Showcase hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (Mountain Time). Admission is $1 per person with children under 12 free.

The Dickinson Recreation Center is located at 1865 Empire Road. From Interstate 94, turn south at Exit 59, turn left on Empire Road and drive east. The recreation center is located at the intersection of Empire Road and State Avenue.

The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases are scheduled for Nov. 7-8 in Grand Forks, Nov. 14-15 in Minot, Nov. 20-22 in Fargo, and Dec. 4-6 in Bismarck.

Goehring said it was decided to call the Dickinson event the Harvest Showcase.

“It’s a little too early in the year to be called a Holiday Showcase,” he said. “Other than the name, this is the same event that annually draws thousands of shoppers to the Holiday Showcases in Minot, Grand Forks, Fargo and Bismarck.”

More than 400 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members. Administered by North Dakota Department of Agriculture Marketing Services, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as Pride of Dakota Day, the Holiday Showcases and in-store demonstrations. Pride of Dakota also provides educational opportunities for retailers and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.