Minnesota’s MSP Airport is Preparing for Big MEA Week

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If you're heading out with the family during MEA next week, you're not alone. And the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is getting ready for bigger crowds.

MEA Week-- which is really just Thursday and Friday of next week-- has become one of the most popular times for Minnesotans to pack up the family and head out on a mini-vacation, taking advantage of students' time off during the annual Minnesota teachers conference, known as MEA.

And if you're going to be flying next week, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is getting ready for bigger crowds and an influx of families who'll be heading through the TSA lines on their way to some R-and-R.

According to MSP, MEA Week in 2020 turned out to be one of the busiest days of travel in seven months at the airport. This year, increased travelers and bigger crowds at MSP are expected from Wednesday, October 20th through Sunday, October 24th.

MSP is even putting on some special activities to commemorate MEA Week this year. The following activities are set for Wednesday, October 20th at Terminal 1:

• 1 to 4 p.m. - balloon artists will be taking requests near the Snoopy statue. 
• 1 and 2:15 p.m. - the Airport Foundation MSP is bringing Joe Mailander of the Minneapolis-based OkeeDokeeBrothers to the Airport Mall Gallery, near the Starbucks. Mailander will also perform with Jillian Rae and Anthony Ihrig of the High 48’s.
• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - for those looking for some creature comfort, you will also find the airport's popular Animal Ambassadors in the mall area. 

To make traveling over MEA Week easier this year, MSP also recommends trying Pre-Booked Parking. MSP says "When you use Pre-booked Parking, you don't have to worry about getting a spot – you’re guaranteed a place to park in your ramp of choice. A QR code you receive as part of your confirmation online is all you need to enter and exit the ramp."

'MEA Week' is really one of those uniquely Minnesota phrases. Heck, when I first moved here 10 years ago, I had no idea what it even was and had to look it up online to figure out what everyone was talking about. (Back in Wisconsin, where I grew up, it's just referred to as the 'teachers convention.')

But it's not the only unique thing we say here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Keep scrolling to check out 10 other Things You Only Say If You're in Minnesota!

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