MINNEAPOLIS — Beret? Check. Crepes? Check.
Pep Rally for Paris plans? CHECK.
For the next few weeks, KARE 11 Sunrise invites viewers to experience the people and places who helped shape Minnesota's elite Olympic athletes — through somewhat of each competitor's lens.
Join the KARE 11 Sunrise team as they broadcast live from locations across the state, talking with friends, family and community members cheering on their respective hometown heroes.
Monday, July 29:
- Who? Swimmer Regan Smith
- Where? Antlers Park, Lakeville
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Join KARE 11 News at Noon anchor Alexis Rogers for a celebration of Lakeville native and second-time Olympic swimmer, Regan Smith.
Pep bands from both Lakeville and Lakeville North High Schools will perform at the event, while special guests are scheduled to include Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier and Paralympic champion Josh Cinnamo.
Food and drinks will also be available for purchase from LBC on the Lake.
Tuesday, July 30
- Who? Gymnast Sunisa "Suni" Lee
- Where? Battle Creek Elementary School, St. Paul
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
KARE 11 News anchor and reporter Morgan Wolfe will MC a gathering to celebrate the achievements of St. Paul native and reigning Olympics all-around champion Sunisa "Suni" Lee at her alma mater, Battle Creek Elementary School.
Special guests include Suni's friends, family, former teachers, and members of her home gym Midwest Gymnastics, as well as appearances from more of St. Paul's finest: Nordy with the Minnesota Wild and St. Paul Saints mascot Mudonna.
Suni's fans can also grab a bite and a bev from The Bougie Waffle and/or The Wandering Mug food trucks.
Selections from The Bougie Waffle include:
- Plain Jane with fruit - $10.00
- Bougie Bae (everything but the bagel waffle) with roasted balsamic veggies - $12.00
- Fully loaded Bougie Bae(everything but the bagel waffle) with roasted balsamic veggies, bacon and eggs - $15.00
- Sides like bacon & eggs - $2-3
- Coffee will also be available
Wednesday, July 31
- Who? BMX cyclist Alise (Post) Willoughby
- Where? Pineview Park BMX, St. Cloud
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
St. Cloud's Alise (Post) Willoughby is on her way to the Olympics for the fourth time, representing Team USA in cycling BMX racing this year in Paris.
Pineview Park BMX will host a pep rally for the three-time world champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, MC'd by KARE 11 anchor and reporter Morgan Wolfe.
The public is encouraged to attend, with the opportunity for riders to showcase their skills, and help send positive vibes to Paris.
Coffee and donuts will be available, as well as sign-making tools to show your support.
For more information, click here.
Thursday, Aug. 1
- Who? Shot-putter Payton Otterdahl
- Where? Central Park, Rosemount
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Show your pride for Payton Otterdahl in his hometown of Rosemount with KARE 11's Morgan Wolfe!
The two-time NCAA champion shot-putter will make his second appearance at the Olympic Games after coming in 10th place in Tokyo's 2020 games.
Fans are already planning to show up and show out for Otterdahl, as his pep rally includes performances from the high school percussion line and brass band, cheer team and Irishettes dance team.
Additionally, organizers said the public can try their hand at throwing shot put. Like they say, when in Rome — er, Paris!
Free coffee and cookies, as well as a food truck, will also be on hand for the celebration.
You can find all of the details here.
Tuesday, Aug. 6
- Who? Sailor Lara-Dallman-Weiss
- Where? White Bear Lake Yacht Club
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Shoreview native Lara Dallman-Weiss is heading to the Olympic Games for the second time, looking to improve on her Tokyo 2020 12th-place finish.
Although Dallman-Weiss' pep rally at the White Bear Lake Yacht Club isn't open to the public, you can follow along with her Olympics journey on Sunrise with KARE 11's Alexis Rogers.
Thursday, Aug. 8
- Who? Dakotah Lindwurm
- Where? St. Francis High School, St. Francis
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Distance runner Dakotah Lindwurm enters the 2024 Olympic Games with a third-place finish at this year's U.S. Marathon Team Trials — and a whole lot of support from her fans in St. Francis.
Join them and KARE 11's Alexis Rogers at St. Francis High School for a celebration featuring interviews with local city and school representatives, and get even more hype with selections from A Blazin' Trails coffee truck.
Visit this link for more.
Friday, Aug. 9
- Who? Break Dancing Party
- Where? House of Dance Twin Cities, Edina
- When? 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
KARE 11's Alexis Rogers will go live on Sunrise from House of Dance Twin Cities in Edina to celebrate the introduction of break dancing into the Olympic Games.
The gathering features dancers of various abilities from the school, who are expected to showcase their skills and educate viewers on what to watch for during the event in Paris.