FAIRMONT — The Minnesota Supreme Court will visit Fairmont High School in October to hold its 50th traveling oral arguments.

A community dinner also will take place.

The program seeks to teach students about the Minnesota court system and build the public’s trust, confidence and understanding of the judiciary.

On the morning of Oct. 9, the court will hold oral arguments in an actual court case in front of hundreds of students in the Performing Arts Center at Fairmont High School.

Fairmont High School Principal Jake Tietje said Fairmont students in grades 9-12 will attend, along with students from Martin County West, Truman, Martin Luther, Granada-Huntley-East Chain and Arise Academy.

Following oral arguments, the justices will hold a question-and-answer session with students, followed by lunch with student representatives. They also will spend the afternoon visiting classrooms at Fairmont High School.

“This is a huge benefit for our students that we’re hosting this event,” said Tietje, adding, “This is the fun stuff. I enjoy organizing these types of event. It’s a great opportunity for our kids.”

The evening before, on Oct. 8, community members are invited to the Holiday Inn in Fairmont to meet and share dinner with members of the Supreme Court and local district court judges. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6.

County Attorney Terry Viesselman said the court is on a rotating schedule throughout the state and chose Fairmont for this year’s fall event.

“It’s a chance to see the whole Supreme Court, talk to them and have dinner with them in a social setting,” he said. “For the attorneys, it’s a big deal. The Supreme Court is the top of the line.”

While the case that will be argued in front of the students has not yet been released, Viesselman said it is an interesting case that he believes the students will enjoy.

Tietje said Gemini Studios will record the event so it can be broadcast at a later date for the public.

Tickets for the community event are $20 to cover the cost of dinner. They can be purchased through Fairmont CER by calling (507) 235-3141 or ordering online at https://fairmont.revtrak.net/ Community-Education-1002 under “community events.” They also can be purchased in the CER office at 714 Victoria St. in Fairmont.

Tickets must be purchased in advance by Oct. 1 as seating is limited.

The Traveling Oral Argument Program has been traveling to two high schools in Minnesota each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, since 1995. Forty-seven communities in 31 counties in the state have hosted the program. The Fairmont event marks the 50th for the court.