Almanac Live from Rochester After more than two decades, “Almanac” returned to the road with a live broadcast from the Chateau Theatre in Rochester. The event sold out at 239 attendees, with 70% attending their first-ever Twin Cities PBS event. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer and Eric Eskola, the night blended journalism, conversation, and civic pride, proving that the future of local public affairs media doesn’t just sit in a studio; it sits among the people it serves. PBS KIDS at Your Library In partnership with metro-area libraries, this popular summertime initiative welcomed families with children ages 2–8 to explore, play, and enjoy their favorite PBS KIDS media! Across 22 events that attracted nearly 3,000 attendees, kids enjoyed early learning activities, collected take-home education kits, and met costumed characters from “Skillsville.” The event series served caregivers, librarians, and young learners together – a reminder that early education thrives when it’s joyful, accessible, and embedded in community spaces. Minnesota State Fair In our eighth year at Underwood and Lee, our Minnesota State Fair footprint expanded with a refreshed commitment to families: a larger shade tent, a repositioned collection of Nursing Nests, and an increased focus on PBS KIDS experiences. More than 1,000 families used the Nursing Nest, and an interactive survey saw a 500% increase in responses. “Skillsville’s” Kids Day meet & greet drew long lines, while partnerships with organizations across arts, STEM, and culture turned the booth experience into a hub of activity, reflection, and play.
Community Connection This year, Twin Cities PBS reimagined what it means to connect with Minnesotans beyond the screen. From libraries and museums to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and the historic Chateau Theatre in Rochester, FY25 was a return to gathering — to meeting people where they are, learning together, and celebrating public media as a community convener. Across all events, one thing was clear: Minnesotans continue to show up for public media and for one another. Be My Neighbor Day Modeled after the spirit of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Be My Neighbor Day invited families to practice kindness, empathy, and community care. Guided activities encouraged children to “be a helper where they live,” while adults received tools for social-emotional learning at home. Visits with the kid-favorite character Daniel Tiger and hands-on stations made the event a celebration of belonging for both new and returning families.
A Place Where Everyone Belongs From the 2024 Be My Neighbor Day survey: • 100% of attendees said they felt welcome at the event
Snack time and the show, then dancing were most engaging for my kiddo — but seeing the Daniel Tiger mascot was the icing on the cake.” – Be My Neighbor Day attendee
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