Graham Park updates from Olmsted County
Let’s play hockey!
On Thursday, January 5, 2023, the Minnesota Wild Foundation came to Graham Arena and surprised the Rochester Youth Hockey Association (RYHA) PeeWee B1 White team and their Waseca opponents with the Minnesota Wild Youth Hockey Spotlight Game inside Toyota Arena, formally known as rink four. Several RYHA teams, families, and fans came to cheer the players on, and Wild staff, a former player, and Nordy the mascot were there! Guests also helped raise money for the Shannon O’Hara Foundation.
![RYHA players](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/RYHA%20players.jpg.webp?itok=4itVOL1t)
RYHA PeeWee B1 White team prepares to take on Waseca at Toyota Arena inside Graham Arena.
![Nordy the MN Wild Mascot with the RYHA and Waseca players before the game.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/Nordy%20the%20MN%20Wild%20Mascot%20with%20RYHA%20and%20Waseca%20players.jpg.webp?itok=Z0Bk2Wro)
Minnesota Wild Mascot Nordy takes center ice before the hockey game.
You can view Olmsted County’s TikTok video from the event that went viral!
![TikTok image of video from MN Youth Hockey Spotlight game.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/TikTok%20image%20of%20video%20from%20MN%20Youth%20Hockey%20Spotlight%20game.jpg.webp?itok=W6m98RN9)
Graham Arena ice rink updates
Work continues on enhancements to Graham Arena One - Presented by Mayo Clinic, Toyota Arena, rink two, and rink three. The Rochester Youth Hockey Association (RYHA) and Mayo Clinic helped with the purchase of new scoreboards and sound equipment in Graham Arena One, rink two, and rink three. Lighting was also installed over the bleachers in Graham Arena One.
Later this year, new perimeter netting will go up around rink one, rink two, and rink three.
![New scoreboard inside Graham Arena One - Presented by Mayo Clinic.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/New%20scoreboard%20inside%20Graham%20Arena%20One%20-%20Presented%20by%20Mayo%20Clinic..jpg.webp?itok=gi94W5JE)
![New scoreboard inside Graham Arena One - Presented by Mayo Clinic.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/Second%20new%20scoreboard%20inside%20Graham%20Arena%20One%20-%20Presented%20by%20Mayo%20Clinic..jpg.webp?itok=INf2UOrK)
New scoreboards inside Graham Arena One – Presented by Mayo Clinic.
![New scoreboard inside rink two.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/New%20scoreboard%20inside%20rink%20two..jpg.webp?itok=uPwF_KUE)
![New scoreboard inside rink three.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/New%20scoreboard%20inside%20rink%20three..jpg.webp?itok=wuYnzcsH)
New scoreboards inside rink two and rink three.
![New lights above Graham Arena One – Presented by Mayo Clinic.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/New%20lights%20above%20Graham%20Arena%20One%20%E2%80%93%20Presented%20by%20Mayo%20Clinic..jpg.webp?itok=Dc-hwVPT)
New lights above bleachers in Graham Arena One – Presented by Mayo Clinic.
Weddings and events, year-round, at Graham Park!
Graham Park is a great place to gather and celebrate, no matter the season! Aune Hall, Crawford Hall, and Floral Hall can host small and large-scale events for several hundred guests. A new outdoor event plaza between Crawford Hall and Floral Hall was also completed in the Fall of 2022. The outdoor space can be used for weddings, outdoor markets, and other special events. Book your venue today!
![A new outdoor event plaza between Crawford Hall and Floral Hall](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/A%20new%20outdoor%20event%20plaza%20between%20Crawford%20Hall%20and%20Floral%20Hall.jpg.webp?itok=TxCLsMZI)
![A new outdoor event plaza between Crawford Hall and Floral Hall .](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/Second%20picture%20of%20the%20new%20outdoor%20event%20plaza%20between%20Crawford%20Hall%20and%20Floral%20Hall.jpg.webp?itok=nUZJ2RGB)
Outdoor event space at Graham Park.
A special day review
On October 29, 2022, Cory and Laura Josselyn invited 150 of their friends and family to their wedding reception and ceremony at Crawford Hall. Below is a review from their special day.
What drew you to Graham Park?
Ultimately it came down to budget, but when we weighed all the pros and cons to the other venues we were considering, it just came out on top. From the flexibility of vendor choice, ease for guest access and parking, and proximity to hotels, all of these helped in making our decision to go with this venue.
What was it like booking the venue?
It was very easy to book the venue. We reached out via email with our interest and wanting to view the space. Steve connected with us quickly and set up a time to meet. He was great to work with, answered all of our questions with ease and made us feel confident in choosing this venue for our wedding. He was great to communicate with during the planning process, answering all of our questions in a timely manner. Steve even continued communication with us throughout the planning process with updates to some construction and renovations outside of the venue that were going on leading up to our wedding date.
What features of the venue did you and your guests enjoy?
We really liked that it was a blank canvas for us to decorate as we envisioned. It has that rustic feel to it which went along with our theme of a rustic romantic vibe. We worked with a local decorator, Alliance Event Design, to incorporate as many romantic lighting elements from ceiling draping, chandeliers, post wraps and backdrops. It turned out exactly how we wanted and was perfect!
What was your overall experience with Graham Park?
It was great! I would recommend it to anyone.
![Photos from inside Crawford Hall. Wedding ceremony and reception setup.](/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2023-01/Photos%20from%20inside%20Crawford%20Hall.%20Wedding%20ceremony%20and%20reception%20setup..jpg.webp?itok=mgKr5P9x)
Photos of Crawford Hall courtesy Holly Kasinak Photography.
Connect with us and share your love for Graham Park!
Stay informed on Graham Park news and progress by subscribing to receive email updates. You can also follow Graham Park on Facebook and Instagram. While you’re there, be sure to like, comment, and share what you enjoy about Graham Park. Post a picture or share a comment on why Graham Park is a great place to gather, celebrate, and learn! You could be featured in our next Graham Park update!