Game Night Gala

Well, Chute!

Thank you for attending our 1st Annual Game Night Gala!

“The most meaningful moments are found in the time that we spend together, experiencing life together, and playing together.”
– Cassie Miles, Executive Director, Great River Children’s Museum

This sentiment set the tone for our 1st Annual Game Night Gala, an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of play and community coming together to support Great River Children’s Museum as we Chart the Course to Grand Opening in 2025.

The night began with a Sponsor Exclusive Hard Hat Tour, led by our executive director and project team at BCI Construction.

Highlights included the future Headwaters Exhibit, a truly immersive and interactive space designed to bring the Headwaters of the Mississippi to Central Minnesota.

Guests explored the museum’s construction progress and got an early glimpse of what’s to come.

The excitement was palpable as attendees envisioned the transformative spaces in the making!

Highlights included the future Headwaters Exhibit, a truly immersive and interactive space designed to bring the Headwaters of the Mississippi to Central Minnesota.

Adding to the inspiration, artist Dr. Annette S. Lee of Native Skywatchers Design Studio shared a sneak peek of three immersive 20-minute projected audiovisual experiences that will transport museum visitors to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Each day/night cycle highlights D(L)akota, Ojibwe, and Greek constellations, blending reality with a playful, imaginative space. Her passion for creating these engaging experiences captivated the audience, fueling even more excitement for the museum’s future! Of course, our Game Night Gala wouldn’t be complete without PLAY!

One of the highlights of the night was our Chutes and Ladders game board! Life-sized game pieces climbed, slid, and laughed their way to the top of the board, embodying the true spirit of play and connection!

Lively music by Pandora’s Other Box kept the energy high, filling the room with an eclectic mix of tunes that inspired plenty of dancing and joy. Even the food was playful with Jules Bistro’s 100 square “Chute-Cuterie” board!

From beginning to end, the evening was a celebration of the magic that happens when we come together as a community to support a shared vision.

With words from Executive Director Cassie Miles, Great River Children’s Museum will be a space “Where hearts and minds, young and old can set aside stress, even if just for a moment, and observe how profound – how magical – the world can be if we never ask people to set aside their childhood curiosity.”

We are profoundly grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who attended for helping us prepare to open our doors this Spring. step toward making the Great River Children’s Museum a reality. Together we raised $205,000!

Your support means the world as we Chart the Course to Grand Opening this Spring! We can’t wait to welcome you in 2025!