Local organizers plot civics show around GOP convention

A producer with the Olympics, Super Bowl and Major League Baseball exhibits to his credit is turning his attention to a large-scale civics lesson during this summer's Republican National Convention.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul host committee says it has hired Gerard McTernan to stage a 285,000-square foot exhibit on Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency. It'll be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center during the Republican convention's early September run.

McTernan produced a similar hands-on attraction during the 2000 GOP convention in Philadelphia.

He has also put together shows around the 2002 Olympics, the 1996 Super Bowl and baseball's All-Star game.

Host committee officials say more details on the Minnesota event will be put out later this month.