The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is hosting eleven days of special events for history buffs, amateur artists and kids of all ages at this year's St. Paul Winter Carnival, to help commemorate 150 years of Minnesota statehood. Just around the corner from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the Sesquicentennial booth (inside the Landmark Center's cortile) will have storytellers, book-signings, coloring contests and a whole lot more.
The festivities kick-off with a talk and book signing by Doug Hoverson, author of "Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota," on January 23rd from 4 to 6 p.m. Hoverson will be on hand at the Sesquicentennial booth to talk about more than 150 years of beer and ale in Minnesota as well as sign copies of his book.
Thursday, January 24th, author Steve Keillor will stop by from 5 to 8 p.m. and sign copies of his book, "Shaping Minnesota's Identity: 150 Years of State History." 
Friday night, January 25th, master storyteller Dwight Wilcox will regale visitors with tall tales and historical interpretations. It will be a great educational and entertaining activity for kids and adults January 25th, 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 26th, the Sesquicentennial is sponsoring coloring contests at the top of every hour. Kids age 12 and under will each get the same page from the Department of Natural resource’s State Symbols coloring book and have 5 minutes to work on it with crayons. Sesquicentennial judges will then choose a winner who will receive a bronze Sesquicentennial medallion. All participants will receive special prizes.
Also on Saturday, the Sesquicentennial Commission is marching in the Grand Day parade through downtown St. Paul with Jon Olson and a wagon from the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train. For more info on the upcoming winter carnival events and future scheduled events click here.