Mayo Clinic Expecting 30,000 Employees For Appreciation Event

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Motorists in downtown Rochester may face traffic and disruptions through Thursday due to the annual Mayo Clinic Employee Appreciation Event.

Preparations for the third annual event previously down 1st Ave., Southwest from Center Street to the south side of the Peace Plaza and second Avenue Southwest from Center Street to the turnaround on the west side of the Peace Plaza. Those closures will remain in effect through Thursday.

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Beginning at noon today, 1st Avenue Southwest was reduced to one lane of traffic from 2nd St., Southwest north to the Peace Plaza. A flagger will be in place to maintain access to the Marriott Hotel drop-off at the corner of 2nd Street and 1st Avenue Southwest. That closure will remain in place until 10 PM on Wednesday.

Mayo Clinic is anticipating as many as 30,000 of its employees will attend the "block-party-style" event in Rochester. A news release says the healthcare provider's staff will be served food, and will be able to enjoy games and live entertainment at the Annenberg and Peace Plaza locations and a second venue next to St. Mary's Hospital.

The downtown location will also include a "Taste of Rochester" event that will feature a number of local restaurants and food vendors. Mayo Clinic staff will also be invited to participate in activities that will raise money for Rochester area nonprofit organizations.