Fly over Lake Superior and Duluth in a private SR22 jet from Cirrus Aircraft, a recognized global leader in personal aviation. That is just one of the amazing items in the silent auction for Freedom Park’s virtual Fundraiser, where bidding is live now through Saturday, August 22 at sunset (8:05 pm).

The flight started with a phone call. Friends of Freedom Park board member Mary Anne Saxe Thompson called the Duluth office and the CEO approved this special gift to fundraiser. She explained, “My daughter and son-in-law experienced a Cirrus flight, and I thought it worthwhile to strive to provide the same beautiful experience for the friends of Freedom Park. I was delighted when Cirrus Aircraft learned about our mission at the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center and wanted to support it by donating an hour flight.”_ Friends of Freedom Park is also offering a special “Date Night at the Park” with catered dinner, twinkle lights, candles and flowers. If you are planning a special night, this would be a great surprise for that special person in your life. You can only get that experience at Freedom Park.

The park has other great opportunities for those who want to support the park while golfing, learning how to make sushi, or enjoying a five-course meal for eight with servers and a chef at home. There is art by local artists Tom Blanck, Helen Shiely, Rita Zawalski-Brandt, Jan Hopkins Furness, Connie Misener, Will Fritsch, and Char Vick. Consider a snowmobile, pontoon, or boat ride, or a weekend stay in Lutsen and a stay-cation at the Bean Building in Prescott or a Hilton Gateway in Eagan._ Local businesses that are contributing include Lucille’s, The Kitchen Table, The Twisted Oak, Croix Insurance, and Edward Jones. It is really a communitywide event._ Visit the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center to view some of the items on display this week or go online to_ freedomparkwi. org_ and click through to the auction site. You can also text “FREEDOMPARK” to phone number 843-606-5995 to register._ “We’re having tons of fun with this virtual fundraiser. But to be frank, I’ve been a little nervous about how it would go since we’ve never done anything like this before,” said Executive Director Israel Haas. “We’re trying to connect with people online instead of in-person, and that’s pretty challenging given the friends who have historically been our biggest supporters. But we’re trying to engage new audiences and the next generation with our mission and programming, so we’re excited to innovate and try new things.”

Freedom Park is the place that the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center calls home. Located in Prescott, Wisconsin, on a scenic bluff overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, the center is a partner site for two national parks and a hub connecting people to the nature, history, art, and recreation of the confluence. More than 180,000 people from every state and 53 countries have visited the center since it opened in 2006. The visitor center’s hours change seasonally and have been impacted by Covid-19. Visit_ freedomparkwi. org_for current hours and programming.