Gov. Dayton declares 'Super Bowl Week' in Minnesota

(KMSP) - The countdown to Super Bowl LII is officially on. Gov. Mark Dayton has declared Jan. 29 through Feb. 4 "Super Bowl Week" in Minnesota. 

Dayton, along with NFL officials and Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, kicked off Super Bowl Week at the Mall of America on Friday. 

“Welcome to Minnesota where our people are bold, Vikings fans are bold, and our stadium is bold," Mark Wilf said. 

Thousands of people from around the country are expected to visit Minnesota for the big game. Special events are being held throughout the week to welcome visitors to the "Bold North," including Super Bowl Live on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, the Super Bowl Experience at the Minneapolis Convention Center and a number of high-profile concerts at Nomadic Live at the Armory. 

It all cumulates with the main event on Sunday, Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Freezing temperatures on tap for Super Bowl weekend are expected to shock out-of-town visitors. 

"It may not be balmy weather," Dayton said. "This will be Bud Grant football weather this weekend. You realize what we went through growing up with the Vikings and outdoor football." 

The Philadelphia Eagles arrived in Minneapolis on Sunday evening. The New England Patriots are schedule to arrive on Monday afternoon. Both teams will hold press conferences Monday night at the Xcel Energy Center.

This is the second time Minnesota has hosted the Super Bowl. Super Bowel XXVI took place on January, 26, 1992 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.