ST. PAUL (AP) - City officials in Minnesota are making plans for a rush of marriages on Aug. 1, when the new state law legalizing same-sex unions takes effect.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is promoting the city's wedding venues, including Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.  Como Park has three wedding venues and plans to rent brief blocks of time to interested couples on Aug. 1.

Coleman has dubbed this week "Freedom to Marry" week.  The Visit St. Paul Foundation contributed $1,700 to decorate the Wabasha Street bridge with rainbow-colored gay-pride flags.

Minnesota on Tuesday became the 12th state in the nation to legalize same-gender marriage.

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