31st Annual Think-Off Debate
Saturday, June 8, 2024 @ 7pm
Held @ NYM School Auditorium
Think-Off Kick-Off Friday, June 7
The 2024 Great American Think-Off debate will be held at the New York Mills School Auditorium on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open to the public at 6:00 p.m. All are invited to attend the debate and cast your vote to help select America’s Greatest Thinker for 2024!
The Think-Off Weekend will kick off on Friday, June 7th, 2024 with a chance to meet the finalists at a welcome reception held at the Cultural Center from 6-8 p.m. This is also a reception for our annual regional gallery show, “Unfettered” and will include regional artists in attendance to share about their work.
This year’s Think-Off question is:
Is freedom of speech worth the cost?
This timely philosophical topic will be debated by the 2024 finalists (in alphabetical order): Crystal Kelley of Eden Prairie, MN; David Lapakko of Richfield, MN; Michelle Mellon of Deming, NM; and Bill Sutherland of Eden Prairie, MN.
Read more about the 2024 finalists here >
Tickets to attend the debate are on sale NOW! Adult tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; students are $5. The New York Mills School is located at 209 Hayes Avenue in New York Mills, and attendees should use the middle “Sports Center” doors marked by the flying eagle sculpture. Click the button below to buy tickets online.
Immediately following the debate, all are welcome to gather at the Cultural Center to enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar and engage the finalists and fellow audience members in further discussion.
Once again this year, to be more accessible to a broad audience, we plan to livestream the debate on our YouTube channel.
Can’t make the live debate? Tune in here! >
If you do choose to log on virtually, please consider making a donation in lieu of purchasing a ticket, to help us continue our work in cultivating the arts, civil discourse, and big thinking in rural America!
Donate now to support civil discourse >
Here’s a link to the 2023 debate to give you an idea of what to expect:
Check out last year’s Think-Off debate on YouTube >
Think-Off Kick-Off Friday, June 7, 2024
Join us in kicking off the 2024 Great American Think-Off weekend on Friday, June 7th!
We are pleased to host a Finalists & Artists Reception from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday June 7, 2024. Meet & greet the Think-Off Finalists and Regional Artists featured in our current Gallery exhibit, Unfettered.
Enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar. Artist talks and finalist introductions will begin at 7:00. Free to attend & open to all!
Learn more about the Gallery Show:
“Unfettered” Regional Artist Gallery Show >
Big thanks to Mid-State Auto Auction for being our major event sponsor once again this year. Mid-State’s annual support of this event makes it possible for us to continue to support civil discourse in rural Minnesota. Thank you Mid-State!
Big thanks to Minnesota Humanities Center for sponsoring this year’s Think-Off. We are thrilled to be back in partnership with MHC following their support of the early years of the Think-Off when it was broadcast on C-SPAN, as mentioned in this video: 1998: C-SPAN – Is Honesty Always the best policy? Thank you Minnesota Humanities Center!
We would also like to thank the following local businesses and organizations for their partnerships/sponsorships of the Great American Think-Off (list will be updated as sponsors are added). We are so grateful for our community’s support!
- Whistle Stop Bed & Breakfast (hosts finalists)
- Grass Roots Ottertail (provides flowers & plants at event)
- New York Mills Public Schools (venue partner)
- Overflow Creative (design partner)
- Farmers & Merchants State Bank
- New York Mills Civic & Commerce Association
Questions or want more information? Give us a call at 218-385-3339.
This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through an operating support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
