The Saskatchewan NDP will host public events in Regina and Saskatoon for the televised state funeral of Jack Layton, Saturday Aug. 27.

The Regina event will take place at Tommy Douglas House and the Saskatoon event will take place at Ecole Canadienne Francaise de Saskatoon. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the funeral service begins at 2 p.m.

Layton led the federal New Democrats from 2003 until this summer, when he stepped down temporarily to focus on his health. He died early Monday morning at the age of 61.