Dakota Electric Association members and their families should mark the date for the twenty-second-annual Member Appreciation Event on July 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the event, Dakota Electric provides complimentary admission to the Minnesota Zoo for those who purchase electricity from the cooperative.
Tickets to the event are being included in electric bills, or members may bring a copy of a recent bill. Members attending the event are encouraged to bring food or cash to be donated to local food shelves. In the last 21 years, Dakota Electric’s members have donated more than 17 tons of food and more than $12,000 toward local food shelves.
“Food shelves have a lot of demand on them in the summer, so we encourage our members to be generous when they attend the event,” President and CEO Greg Miller said. “Dakota Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, so this member-only event is our way of showing our appreciation to our members.”
Cooperative members can enjoy the zoo’s many exhibits, including this year’s featured attraction Llama Trek, and other exhibits including Kangaroo Crossing, Hawaiian Monk Seals, Penguins of the African Coast, Russia’s Grizzly Coast, the Minnesota Trail, World of Birds Show and more.
Dakota Electric’s guests will also enjoy music from the Blue Ox Jazz Babies and close-up magic by Bob Miller. Children can enjoy the splash pad, the Woodland Adventure play area and the Hanifl Wild Woods nature-based play area. LED Lucy, Dakota Electric’s mascot, will also be greeting children. Dakota Electric welcomes its members and their families to enjoy this great family event.
