2012 Holiday Showcases set attendance records

By kwald | Published: December 4, 2012

BISMARCK – More than 34,000 shoppers – the most ever – participated in the four Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases in November and December 2012.

“The Bismarck and Fargo Showcases both posted all-time record attendance figures,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “The Bismarck Showcase was not only the largest ever in terms of attendance but also in the number of vendors and number of display booths.”

Goehring said the numbers reflect the growing popularity of the Pride of Dakota program with both shoppers and members.

“More and more North Dakotans look forward every year to taking in one or more of the Holiday Showcases, knowing they will find unique, high quality products while supporting our state’s small businesses,” he said. “At the same time, Pride of Dakota member companies know the showcases attract people who are specifically looking for locally-made products.”

Goehring said the new attendance total passed the previous mark by 3,084.

“The Bismarck Showcase was up by almost 3,000 shoppers,” Goehring said. “The new total of 14,107 is the most for any Holiday Showcase ever.”

In Fargo, 9,583 people exceeded the previous record by 1,194. Attendance at the Grand Forks Showcase, held Nov.3-4, was 6,038, down about 160 from the record set last year. The Minot Showcase, held Nov. 10-11, drew 4,283 customers.
Goehring said inclement weather affected the turnout in Grand Forks and especially in Minot.

About 11,500 people received one dollar off their admission cost by bringing their own reusable shopping bags.

The winners of the new Pride of Dakota passport program, sponsored by North Dakota Corn Growers Association, were each awarded $250 in Pride of Dakota bucks. The Fargo Showcase winner was Kim Bernier of Moorhead, MN, who spent her $250 with Givinity Press on a new, original art print. Ray Fleck of Mandan was the Bismarck Showcase winner. He spent his winnings among eight different Pride of Dakota members, including Dakota Slims, Dakota Sun Garden, Mabel’s Taste of Home, North Prairie Signature, Prairie Coffee Roasters, Prairiewood Winery, Thunderbird Ranch and Toys N’ Things.

Administered by North Dakota Department of Agriculture Marketing and Information Division, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as in-store demonstrations, Pride of Dakota Day and the Holiday Showcases, Harvest Showcase and Spring Showcase. The program also provides educational opportunities and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions. More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members. More information is available at www.prideofdakota.com.

-30-

MEDIA: For information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Holiday Showcase returns to Bismarck Civic Center

By kwald | Published: November 23, 2012

BISMARCK – The 2012 Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase – the largest ever – returns to the Bismarck Civic Center, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 30- Dec. 2.

“With a record 263 vendor booths, this is a great time and place to do your holiday shopping,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Nearly 200 Pride of Dakota companies will be selling and sampling a tremendous variety of North Dakota-made foods and condiments, decorative and gift items, jewelry, recordings and much more.”

Showcase hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $2 per adult.

“Once again, shoppers will get a free reusable bag with their paid admission,” Goehring said. “Shoppers who bring their own reusable bag get $1 off their admission.”

Saturday is Military Appreciation Day: active members of the armed forces get half-price admission with military identification.

Goehring said paid admission also includes a new feature of the Holiday Showcase, the  Pride of Dakota Passport, sponsored by the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.

“Take your Passport to the three stamping stations in the Exhibition Hall and Upstairs Lobby,” he said. “Volunteers in each station will stamp your passport which you can then enter in a drawing for a chance to win $250 in Pride of Dakota bucks from the North Dakota Corn Growers. This prize money can be spent at the Showcase, online or directly through a Pride of Dakota member company.”

Goehring said the drawing will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday. Participants need not be present to win.

Administered by the Marketing and Information Division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program provides more than 500 member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as in-store demonstrations, Pride of Dakota Day and the Holiday Showcases and Harvest Showcase. The program also provides educational opportunities and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase returning to Grand Forks

By kwald | Published: October 29, 2012

BISMARCK – Once again, the Alerus Center will be transformed into a shopper’s paradise when the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase returns to Grand Forks, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 3-4.

“This year’s Holiday Showcase is bigger than ever with 152 vendor booths filled with high quality, North Dakota-made products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Shoppers will find thousands of selections to choose from, including foods and condiments, decorative items, books, jewelry, recordings and much more.”

The showcase is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.

“We will be open an hour longer Saturday in Grand Forks to give fans time for shopping after the UND football game,” Goehring said. “We also invite tailgaters to stop by and visit the agriculture exhibit in the Alerus Center parking lot.”
Admission including a free, reusable shopping bag is $2 per adult. Shoppers who bring their own reusable bag receive $1 off admission. Parking is free for Showcase shoppers.

Saturday is Military Appreciation Day: active members of the armed forces and their families get half-price admission with military identification.

Goehring said the growing popularity of the Pride of Dakota program with both member companies as well as with consumers is reflected in the more than 10 percent growth in the number vendors and booths at the Grand Forks Showcase.
“The year’s event features 115 companies compared to 105 last year and 152 booths up 15 from 2011,” he said. “Pride of Dakota gives North Dakota companies a venue to showcase their products across the state, while at the same time giving shoppers an opportunity to buy local for the holiday season. It’s a proven formula for success for our Pride of Dakota small businesses and our state’s economy.”

Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases are also scheduled for Nov. 9-10, in the All Seasons Arena, State Fairgrounds, Minot; Nov. 16-18, in the Fargo Civic Auditorium, Fargo, and Nov. 30-Dec. 2, in the Bismarck Civic Center Exhibition Hall, Bismarck.

Administered by the Marketing and Information Division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program provides more than 500 member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as in-store demonstrations, Pride of Dakota Day and the Holiday Showcases and Harvest Showcase. The program also provides educational opportunities and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Harvest Showcase draws more than 2,700 shoppers

By kwald | Published: September 24, 2012

BISMARCK – More than 2,700 shoppers filled the Dickinson Recreation Center, Sept. 15-16, during the fourth annual Pride of Dakota Harvest Showcase.

“The Harvest Showcase has obviously become an established event in Dickinson, drawing both local shoppers as well as people from out of town,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Many of the vendors said they were very pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm for the event.”

A total of 79 Pride of Dakota companies participated in the event, selling and sampling foods and condiments, decorative items, jewelry, art, apparel and other North Dakota-made products.

The Harvest Showcase is sponsored in part by the Dickinson Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases are scheduled for Nov. 3-4 in Grand Forks, Nov. 10-11 in Minot, Nov. 16-18 in Fargo, and Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Bismarck.

More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members. Administered by North Dakota Department of Agriculture Marketing and Information Division, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as Pride of Dakota Day, the Holiday Showcases and in-store demonstrations. Pride of Dakota also provides educational opportunities for retailers and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Dickinson readies for Pride of Dakota Harvest Showcase

By kwald | Published: September 12, 2012

Sept. 11, 2012

BISMARCK – More than 80 vendors and thousands of shoppers are expected to fill the Dickinson Recreation Center, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, when the Pride of Dakota Harvest Showcase returns to Dickinson.

“The enthusiasm for the Harvest Showcase continues to grow both with participating companies and with the shoppers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “It’s a great opportunity to sample and buy products made right here in North Dakota and to meet the people who made them.”

Goehring said Pride of Dakota vendors will be selling foods and condiments, decorative items, jewelry, art, apparel and much more.

Showcase hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (Mountain Time). Admission is $1 per person with children under 12 free.

The Dickinson Recreation Center is located at 1865 Empire Road. From Interstate 94, turn south at Exit 59, turn left on Empire Road and drive east. The recreation center is located at the intersection of Empire Road and State Avenue.
The fourth annual Harvest Showcase is sponsored in part by the Dickinson Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases are scheduled for Nov. 3-4 in Grand Forks, Nov. 10-11 in Minot, Nov. 16-18 in Fargo, and Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Bismarck.

More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members. Administered by North Dakota Department of Agriculture Marketing and Information Division, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as Pride of Dakota Day, the Holiday Showcases and in-store demonstrations. Pride of Dakota also provides educational opportunities for retailers and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

State Capitol to host Pride of Dakota Day, Lunch

By kwald | Published: September 11, 2012

September 10, 2012

BISMARCK – The annual Pride of Dakota Day at the State Capitol will transform North Dakota’s statehouse into a shopping mall for locally-made products, Thursday, Sept. 13.

“This is a showcase for North Dakota small businesses and the Pride of Dakota program, giving Capitol visitors and state employees an opportunity to see the range of products made right here in our state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “The owners and employees of more than 50 Pride of Dakota businesses will be on hand, selling, sampling and talking about their products.”

Vendor booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Capitol’s Memorial Hall, Legislative Hall and West End ground floor.

Goehring said Pride of Dakota companies manufacture a wide range of products, including home décor, foods and condiments, apparel, personal care items, recordings, paper goods and more.

“We are also asking Capitol visitors and employees to take in the special Pride of Dakota breakfast and lunch being served by the Capitol Café,” Goehring said. “The kitchen staff has done an outstanding job of using Pride of Dakota products to create delicious entrees, side dishes and desserts.”

The breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. includes a Denver omelet and toast. The lunch menu, served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., includes such entrees as barbecued ribs, whole wheat spaghetti with meatballs, a steak sandwich and a chicken caesar focaccia sandwich.

Companies providing the food include Baker Boy, Dakota Growers Pasta, Firehouse Ribs, Land O Lakes/Dean Foods, Cloverdale, Pan O Gold Baking, Lake House Reflections and M & W Beef Packers.

The Pride of Dakota program, administered by NDDA’s Marketing and Information Division, provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as in-store demonstrations, Pride of Dakota Day and the Holiday Showcases. The program also provides educational opportunities and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions. More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Holiday Showcase forms available

By kwald | Published: August 23, 2012

The 2012 Holiday Showcase forms are now available online! Checkout the “Opportunities” page under the “Members” section to download the forms.

See you at the showcases!

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Summer Fair Success

By kwald | Published: August 1, 2012

July was a busy month for Pride of Dakota members.

This year, more than 20 vendors participated in the first-ever Pride of Dakota Pavilion at the Red River Valley Fair held July 10-15. Though the weather was hot, fairgoers were excited to see the variety of products Pride of Dakota members have to offer.

Also in July was the 24th Annual Pride of Dakota Day at the North Dakota State Fair. July 23 brought together 30 vendors and approximately 1,200 attendees who enjoyed a $1 lunch courtesy of Cloverdale Foods, Land O’ Lakes, Northern Plains Potato Growers and Pan-O-Gold. Attendees also had an opportunity to judge the 3rd Annual Kuchen Contest. Grandma’s Kuchen was voted this year’s winner.

Posted in News | Comments Closed

Pam Girard

By superadmin | Published: May 11, 2012

Pam Girard fulfilled her passion for cooking when she was asked to start a cooking class in her home in the early ‘90s. Since then, she’s been publishing cookbooks on easy cooking.

Her books combine all of the things she loves: writing, family, travel and religious thought. If it Tastes Good, Who Cares? Vol. III features family stories of how food kept them together and created many memories. The recipes gathered while traveling abroad have been adapted to use foods more commonly found in a North Dakotan’s pantry.

Posted in Products | Comments Closed

Flax USA

By superadmin | Published: May 11, 2012

If you’re in search of a healthy, North Dakota-grown addition to your diet, Flax USA is worth a look.

Their cold milled flax has a shelf life of two years, and their Flaxmilk™ – which is produced only by Flax USA – is packed full of nutrients with 1,200 mg of omega-3 and your total daily calcium needs all in just one serving. It’s also dairy, soy, gluten and lactose free.

To order your flax products, visit www.flaxusa.com or www.amazon.com/, or stop by a Costco, Marshall’s, Sam’s Club, SuperValu, or TJ Maxx location.

Posted in Products | Comments Closed
  • Gift Ideas
  • Become a Member

  • Upcoming Events

    Pride of Dakota Month

    April 2013

    Pride of Dakota Day at the State Fair

    July 22, 2013

    Dickinson Harvest Showcase

    September 21 - 22, 2013