Minneapolis Braces For Busy, All-Star Weekend
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Downtown Minneapolis is in full swing as a busy weekend gets underway.
Between All-Star Game events, the Basilica Block Party, and the Imagine Dragons concert at TCF Bank Stadium, there's something for everyone in Minneapolis this weekend.
"What a weekend of madness," said Hilton Minneapolis food and beverage director Robert Sabin. "The city of Minneapolis is on fire."
The Hilton Minneapolis has been completely booked since the All-Star game was announced a year ago.
"This being the game of all games, we're seeing people from all around the country," Sabin said.
Meet Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association kicked off a social media campaign called #AskMpls to help people navigate their way around the city amid the madness.
"All of those events will attract somewhere around 160,000 visitors to the city," Meet Minneapolis president and CEO Melvin Tennant said.
All of those visitors mean big business.
"Over the course of the five days of the All-Star events, we're expecting more than $75 million in spending from visitors," Tennant said.
As people check out the events, restaurants, and hotels that will mean extra traffic, you'll want to check out road closures in Minneapolis and leave extra travel time.
A little traffic aside, Minnesotans are excited to have their all-star city on display.
"People will see sides of Minneapolis they haven't seen before," said Briana Peterson, from St. Louis Park. "They can show off what they have to offer here so it's great."