Minnesota Lottery turns 25, shows off new logo

Apr 19, 2014, 1:15 pm (14 comments)

Minnesota Lottery

Includes video report

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lottery celebrated its 25th birthday Thursday with a splash of color. In fact, there were many splashes of color, courtesy of celebrity performance artist David Garibaldi.

The 32 year old finalist on the "America's Got Talent" program leapt onto a stage at Target Plaza before the noon Twins game and speed-painted the new Lottery logo on a black canvass in 5 minutes. The new logo features the iconic loon, but this loon has wings spread in flight.

It is the first update of the sitting loon logo since the Lottery's inception on April 17, 1989. The Loon is designed to remind Minnesotans of the uses of revenues from the state gaming devices.

"Last year, we contributed $136 million back to the state," said Jason LaFrenz, Lottery Director of Marketing. "A lot of that went to environmental causes...in all 87 counties across the state."

Legislators struggled with authorization of the lottery in the 1980's. Many interests, particularly in greater Minnesota, objected to an expansion of state-authorized gambling. However, many Minnesotans were clamoring for the games. The legislature voted to approve creation of the lottery in 1988, with the opening day set for 1989.

Through the years since, there have been high points, such as when the jackpots of various games climbed into the tens or even hundreds of millions. There have also been been lowpoints, such as the day in January of 2004 when then lottery director George Anderson committed suicide.

However, the mood was upbeat and light on Thursday at mid-day as music blared from loudspeakers, Garibaldi danced around the stage flinging paint and Twins and Blue Jays fans arrived on the Plaza for the game inside the stadium. Lottery workers handed out free "scratch off" tickets for free prizes, including free lottery tickets from vendors around the state and T-shirts bearing the new logo.

LaFrenz summed up the feelings. "It has been a big success."

VIDEO: Celebrity performance artist David Garibaldi

KARE, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

I like their new logo.

I think the guy who painted that sign was perfect for the job too - seems a little loony.

I like the sound of loons on the lake at night too with a 12 pack o' Bud in the cooler and a flask o' Jack in my pocket. Ahh, makes me wanna go fishin' right now. 

Listen to the loons, mash on this and then mash on "play audio" -----> http://www.junglewalk.com/popup.asp?type=a&AnimalAudioID=343

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by rdgrnr on Apr 19, 2014

I like their new logo.

I think the guy who painted that sign was perfect for the job too - seems a little loony.

I like the sound of loons on the lake at night too with a 12 pack o' Bud in the cooler and a flask o' Jack in my pocket. Ahh, makes me wanna go fishin' right now. 

Listen to the loons, mash on this and then mash on "play audio" -----> http://www.junglewalk.com/popup.asp?type=a&AnimalAudioID=343

Yes!  This!

I did a vacation one year in Minnesota bass fishing and living in a cabin.  The sounds of the loons was wonderful, and the trip is still a great memory.

RedStang's avatarRedStang

This guy reminds me of denny dent. 

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 19, 2014

Yes!  This!

I did a vacation one year in Minnesota bass fishing and living in a cabin.  The sounds of the loons was wonderful, and the trip is still a great memory.

Exactly what I'm talkin' about. Nothin' like it.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Apr 19, 2014

This guy reminds me of denny dent. 

He seems to be very creative, but his arts are very outrageous!

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Apr 20, 2014

He seems to be very creative, but his arts are very outrageous!

...nonetheless, they're mockingly incredible!

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Apr 20, 2014

...nonetheless, they're mockingly incredible!

I am impressed to both!

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

They both remind me of Kinkade when he was a student, he could sketch a complete art in 3 minutes.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 19, 2014

Yes!  This!

I did a vacation one year in Minnesota bass fishing and living in a cabin.  The sounds of the loons was wonderful, and the trip is still a great memory.

I am scared to live in a cabin by myself for that long, big bear might get me...hehehe

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Apr 19, 2014

This guy reminds me of denny dent. 

He combines painting with performance art.  It is compelling.

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 19, 2014

Yes!  This!

I did a vacation one year in Minnesota bass fishing and living in a cabin.  The sounds of the loons was wonderful, and the trip is still a great memory.

I lived in Two Harbors, Minnesota for a year, driving up 61 to Silver Bay along Lake Superior is breathtaking.

Nice logo Minnesota.

 

One of the wives from the Edmund Fitzgerald lived right next door.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Apr 20, 2014

I lived in Two Harbors, Minnesota for a year, driving up 61 to Silver Bay along Lake Superior is breathtaking.

Nice logo Minnesota.

 

One of the wives from the Edmund Fitzgerald lived right next door.

Wow sully, that brought back some memories.

I worked on the Fitzgerald when I worked at American Ship Building in Lorain Ohio. It went down later that year. No, I didn't cut a hole in the shell. LOL.

I also took a lake freighter, the Edgar Speer, from Conneaut (prob misspelled) Ohio to Two Harbors in December 1978. When we got there, it was -25 degrees. It's a 1000 foot long ship, and the first 100 feet or so was covered with ice.

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Apr 20, 2014

Wow sully, that brought back some memories.

I worked on the Fitzgerald when I worked at American Ship Building in Lorain Ohio. It went down later that year. No, I didn't cut a hole in the shell. LOL.

I also took a lake freighter, the Edgar Speer, from Conneaut (prob misspelled) Ohio to Two Harbors in December 1978. When we got there, it was -25 degrees. It's a 1000 foot long ship, and the first 100 feet or so was covered with ice.

Ex boyfriend, was an electrician on the freighters, worked for American Steamship, The Indiana Harbor and sister ship Belle River where both 1000 footers. small world isn't it?

Gleno's avatarGleno

Minnesota has environmental issues? Wonder how many were caused by governmental entities? Theit lottery is now 25 year in the running. Good for folks in their state. 

Wink

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