ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — St. Paul’s great picnic pick is at hand.

City residents aiming for the first crack at prime park permits for their 2013 picnics have a chance to land them in a special lottery. The lottery will be held before dawn Wednesday and only those present can win.

The incentive is first chance to reserve space for family celebrations or business events that require park permits.

Those who don’t take part in the lottery must wait to reserve space. No phone reservations are taken until Thursday.

Non-residents must wait until February to make their reservations.

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