|
Can you help at Nickle Dickle Day?
Saturday, September 19 | 8AM-5PM
Nickle Dickle is just days away! We have many volunteer spots to fill and would love your help. Whether you’re looking to get involved in the community or a student needing volunteer hours, this is a great opportunity to jump in and be part of the fun! Grab a friend and sign up for a shift—we’d love to have you!
| | |
Pop Booth
11AM-1PM
1PM-3PM
3PM-5:30PM
| | | |
Mechanical Bull Support
11AM-1PM
1PM-2:30PM
| |
Youth Makers Market
11AM-1PM
1PM-3PM
| | |
65th Annual Nickle Dickle Day
Saturday, September 19th
For more than 65 years, Nickle Dickle Day has been a tradition that brings our community together and celebrates everything that makes Waconia special. From its beginnings as a downtown sidewalk sale in 1961 to the community celebration it is today, this event has only been possible because of the support of local businesses like yours.
We hope you'll join us in making this year's Nickle Dickle Day another unforgettable celebration for our community.
| | Find the Youth Makers Market in the Gather and Grow Food Shelf parking lot from 10AM-3PM on Nickle Dickle Day! | | |
Nickle Dickle Day Eve
Get ready for a night of great music and dancing! Gates open at 7:00 PM, with the band playing from 8:00–11:30 PM. Admission is just $10 online or at the door.
This event is 21+ with valid ID, and a cash bar will be available. Purchase your ticket online before September 17 for a chance to win Chamber Bucks! Plus, buying online means less time in line and more time on the dance floor. Grab your ticket and join us for a fun night out!
| | A Message from the President | | |
From Nickels to Now: 65 Years of Nickle Dickle Day
Nickle Dickle Day is just around the corner, and it’s a day in Waconia when the excitement, celebration, and community spirit fill the streets.
Saturday, September 19, marks the 65th annual Nickle Dickle Day, and we have an exciting celebration planned with something for everyone to enjoy.
| | |
40th Annual Car Show
Nickle Dickle Day is celebrating a major milestone with 65 years of fun and community, but so is the Car Show! This is the 40th year that Mike Keaveny, longtime community champion, has led the Nickle Dickle Antique and Collector Car and Truck Show—and every year he continues to bring in car enthusiasts from all over the country to a celebration that keeps getting bigger and better. Continue reading...
| | Destination Waconia: The Podcast | |
New Podcast Episode!
Join us as we sit down with Waconia historian and Waconia Chamber of Commerce founder Paul Melchert in his dining room for a conversation about Coney Island of the West, the historic island located right here on Lake Waconia.
Paul shares some of his personal experiences, memories, and knowledge of the island while giving us a look into its past, present, and what the future might hold. So much history has evolved and shaped this beloved island, Paul offers a unique perspective on Coney Island and its place in the community.
| | Railroads on Coney Island Short Clip | | Recreation on Coney Island Short Clip | | |
American Family - Joe Adams Agency
Joe Adams
7955 Stone Creek Drive, Ste 110
Chanhassen
jadams8@amfam.com
Category: Finance, Insurance & Investments
| |  | |
Coney's
Crystal Jensen
136 W Main St, Waconia
(612) 208-8314
coneyscandies.com
Category: Retail
| | Ambassador Visits & Ribbon Cuttings | | |
Primary contact: Candace Wostrel-Glatch
612-860-8989
HAVENMobileMedSpa.com
candace@HAVENMobileMedSpa.com
HAVEN Mobile MedSpa came to visit the Chamber! They bring convenient, personalized wellness and aesthetic services directly to clients, making self-care easier and more accessible. We’re happy to have them as part of our Chamber community!
| |
| Waterside Healthcare & Wellness | |
Primary contact: Katie Noeldner
651-603-4577
20W Main Street, Waconia
watersidehealth.com
knoeldner@watersidehealth.com
The Chamber recently visited Waterside Healthcare & Wellness! We loved getting to learn more about their services, meet the team, and see the space. It was a great opportunity to connect, learn more about the work they’re doing in our community, and hear about the ways they’re helping their patients prioritize their health and wellness.
| | | |
Primary contact: Curt LaChappelle
612-353-7870
vera-lake.com
curt@vera-lake.com
The Chamber recently met with Curt from Vera Lake! We enjoyed learning more about their work supporting successful business owners, executives, and families with personalized wealth management and financial planning. It was great connecting with Curt and getting a better understanding of the thoughtful approach Vera Lake takes with their clients.
| | | |
We appreciate your support!
Thank you to all of our renewing members for your investment in the Waconia Chamber. We appreciate your support!
| | |
Art Consortium of Carver County
BCS, Inc
Boll Custom Concrete
Buoy Project Partners
| | |
Frozen Five Ice Creamery
Healing Ink & Art
Metronet, Inc.
The Community Foundation for Carver County
| | |
Congratulations on your milestone! Wishing you continued success. | | | |
Lunch & Learn: The Power of Chamber Partnerships
We had a great time at our recent lunch conversation focused on the value of being involved with your local Chamber!
Attendees heard from Christine Fenner of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Katie Welch Len of Newsworthy Communications, and Eleece Pink of The Stash of Waconia about how Chambers help businesses build connections, grow their networks, and get more involved in the community.
It was a great conversation filled with practical insights, local perspectives, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow business leaders. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
| |
|
Women's Connect - Let's do lunch!
There was great conversation at the August Women’s Connect. The food was delicious, the company was wonderful, and the ambiance was beautiful, as it always is at Lola's Lakehouse!
Women’s Connect is a focused network designed to encourage, support, and provide resources for professional women entrepreneurs and business leaders. It is led by the Waconia Chamber of Commerce and its members.
The next Women's Connect is schedule for Monday, November 9.
| | |
Destination Waconia Tourism Committee
The Tourism Committee met on August 11 at J. Carver Distillery, and there's so much to be excited about in Waconia! From all of your favorites to new events, there’s a lot to look forward to, and plenty of reasons why Waconia is THE place to be.
Visit DestinationWaconia.org and let the calendar filling begin!
| | |
August Chamber Luncheon: Leadership at Every Level
We had a full house at our August Luncheon last week! Erik Therwanger, Marine Corps veteran, leadership expert, and author, shared powerful insights on becoming a stronger leader, finding your leadership purpose, boosting team performance, and so much more. We left with a lot of inspiration and energy to put new ideas into action.
A special thanks to Schram Vineyards for hosting and feeding us a delicious lunch, and thank you to Suburban Waste Services MN for being our lunch sponsor.
Our next Luncheon is the Meet the Candidates Luncheon on Thursday, September 24.
| | |
Promote Your Business in the 2027 Waconia Chamber Membership & Visitors Directory!
We’re gearing up for the 2027 Waconia Membership & Visitors Directory! This annual publication highlights Chamber members and our vibrant community, serving as both a trusted local resource and a guide for visitors. This is not only a great way to promote your business, but also a chance to showcase the value of your Chamber membership to residents, newcomers, and visitors alike.
Important: Review Your Member Profile
As a member of the Waconia Chamber, your business will be in the directory listing. Please take a moment to review your member profile to ensure all your business information is up-to-date. This will ensure accurate representation in both the print and online versions of the directory. Click here for instructions.
|
Job Fair
September 9 | 10:00AM-12:00PM
CareerForce Chaska
602 East Fourth St. Chaska
Ready for a more flexible and meaningful job? Join our team! Eastern Carver County Schools is hiring substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals. Enjoy the freedom to set your own schedule, choose the schools and grade levels where you’d like to work, receive weekly pay, and more! Stop by our hiring event to learn more about these exciting opportunities. RSVP is encouraged!
| |
Grand Opening of The Springs Wellness Center
September 9 | 4:00PM-7:00PM
The Springs Wellness Center
26 W 2nd Street, Waconia
Celebrate The Springs Wellness Center grand opening celebration! After months of dreaming, planning, building, and bringing this space to life, we are so excited to celebrate The Springs Wellness Center with you! Come see what we've created and experience everything The Springs has to offer. What to expect:
- Light appetizers & refreshments
- Tours of The Springs
- Meet & greet with our wellness practitioners
- Giveaways throughout the evening
- Learn more about our services, classes & wellness experiences
- Shop our wellness products
Whether you’ve already visited us or have been wondering what’s behind our doors, this is the perfect night to come in, look around, ask questions, meet our team, and celebrate with us. Bring a friend, stop by anytime between 4–7 PM, and help us officially welcome The Springs Wellness Center to Waconia.
|
Rally Day at Faith Lutheran
Sunday, September 13 | 9:00AM
Faith Lutheran
800 Waconia Pkwy N, Waconia
You're invited! Come celebrate Rally Day with us! Attend worship, enjoy a pancake breakfast on us, and participate in fun activities as we begin a new program year at Faith Lutheran. We look forward to seeing you! Let's fill the sanctuary to overflowing — invite a friend. This is open for everyone. Stick around after worship for:
- Pancake Breakfast
- Bounce House
- Balloon Animmals
- Cake Walk
- Squishies
Everything is on us! Come enjoy the fun for FREE!
|
Schram Vineyards Grape Stomp
Sunday, September 13 | 11:00AM-6:00PM
Schram Vineyards
8785 Airport Rd, Waconia
It’s back—and bigger, bolder, and messier than ever. Join us at Schram Vineyards for our 5th Annual Grape Stomp! Round up your crew, lace up (or kick off) your shoes, and get ready to dive into one of the most fun-filled days of the season. Whether you're stepping into the stomp bins or sipping and cheering from the sidelines, this is harvest-time energy at its best. Grab a partner and compete in our grape stomping showdown—where bragging rights (and a little friendly chaos) are on the line. Not competing? No problem. Spend the day soaking in vineyard views, live music, great food, local shopping, and hands-on harvest experiences—including picking grapes right off the vine and casual stomp stations for all ages.
|
CFCC Celebration of Philanthropy Dinner
Thursday, September 17 | 4:00PM-7:00PM
Waconia Comfort
201 W. Main St, Waconia
The Community Foundation for Carver County would like to invite you to join us to celebrate our community and honor individuals and organizations that have generously contributed to making it a great place to live, work, and play.
This year, we will be presenting Awards in Philanthropy to Dave Pokorney of Chaska and LaVonne & Richard Kroells of Norwood Young America. Their dedication, generosity, and service have made a lasting difference in our communities, and we hope you will join us in celebrating and thanking them.
|
Waconia Comfort Open House
Thursday, September 17 | 4:00PM-7:00PM
Waconia Comfort
201 W. Main St, Waconia
Explore more than 20 live-burning fireplace displays in our downtown Waconia showroom. Receive expert guidance and design inspiration from our experienced fireplace team. Enjoy event-only specials, including limited-time rebates on select Kozy Heat fireplaces. We hope to see you there!
|
Lakeview Clinic Open House
Thursday, September 17 | 4:30PM-7:00PM
Lakeview Clinic
424 MN-5, Waconia
Join us for a fun, family-friendly evening at the Lakeview Clinic Waconia Open House! Here's what to expect:
- Family Friendly Games & Activities
- Meet Lakeview Providers & Staff
- See Our Renovated Space
- Win Prizes
- Complete a Passport to Health for a Free Treat! (Mama's Java Smoothie or Three Mad Poppers Gourmet Popcorn)
- Lakeview Optical Eyewear Show/Sale
This is a great opportunity to enjoy our renovated space & meet many of our staff and medial providers, including 3 new Internal Medicine physicians and 1 new OB/GYN physician. We can’t wait to welcome you!
|
Art Wander
Edge of the Big Woods
September 25, 26 & 27 | Times Vary
All Around Carver County
Explore Carver County on a self-guided tour of 15 art studios and discover the unique work of over 40 talented artists! From potters and weavers to painters, illustrators, glass artists, woodworkers, sculptors, and jewelers, you’ll find an incredible variety of artistry on display.
Meet the artists in their homes and studios, watch live demonstrations of their techniques, and browse one-of-a-kind pieces available for purchase. Whether you’re looking for a special gift, a statement piece, or simply creative inspiration, the Art Wander is an experience you won’t want to miss!
| | |
Fall On The Farm
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00AM-2:00PM
The Andrew Peterson Farm
8060 State Highway 5, Waconia
Come out to the Histroic Andrew Peterson farmstead for farmyard animals, including some absolutely loveable llamas, outdoor cooking brought to you by the Carver County parks Service, and wonderful machines from the Scott Carver Threshers!
| | |
Chamber Conversation: Priorities & Perspectives
A look at the National and State Landscape
Tuesday, September 29 | 1:30PM-3:00PM
Maple Conference Room, City Hall
201 S Vine Street, Waconia
Join us for a timely conversation on the political and business landscape shaping Minnesota and the nation. We're bringing together two guest speakers with unique vantage points on policy, advocacy, and what is means for local business:
Micah Olson, Manager, Midwest Region for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will share an inside look at the Chamber's national initiatives and priorities, and how they connect to businesses right here in Waconia.
Jacob Coleman, State Director for Americans for Prosperity and a Waconia City Council member, will offer a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the political landscape at both the state and national level - plus a local lens as someone serving our own community.
This is a great opportunity to hear directly from two people deeply engaged in the issues affecting business and policy, and to bring your own questions to the table.
| | | |
Tri-Chamber Mixer
Thursday, October 1 | 4:00PM-6:00PM
Southern Social
2880 Chaska Blvd, Chaska
Join us for an evening of networking with professionals from the SouthWest Metro, Eden Prairie, and Waconia Chamber of Commerce! Whether you're looking to grow your business, build new connections, or simply catch up with familiar faces from the community, this mixer is the perfect opportunity to expand your network across all three chambers.
| | |
Flannels and Flapjacks - Sponsors Needed
Thursday, October 8 | 8:00AM-9:30AM
Chanhassen American Legion
290 Lake Drive E, Chanhassen
Join us for Southern Valley Alliance’s very first breakfast fundraiser — Flannels & Flapjacks! Start your day with delicious pancakes, cozy flannels, and a shared commitment to supporting victim survivors of domestic abuse in Scott and Carver counties. Your morning meal can make a meaningful impact.
- Wear your favorite flannel
- Enjoy a hearty breakfast
- Help us champion a powerful cause
All proceeds support Southern Valley Alliance and our vision to end domestic violence in our communities! Are you interested in becoming a “Donut Donor” or “Coffee Catalyst?” Email Christie at executivedirector@svamn.org today to secure your sponsorship!
| | |
Now Hiring - Bode Gray's
Now hiring for a dishwasher, food runner, or host at Bode Gray's. Must be 16 years old. Apply by calling or texting 952-300-0518.
| | |
Register Now for Fall Classes
Register now for fall dance classes at Rising Star Dance Academy! We have classes for ages 2-18, visit our website for a complete list of classes.
| |
Ridgeview Welcomes New Providers to Waconia Campus
| |
Waconia Scarecrow Tour
October 8-18
All Around Waconia
A community favorite, the Scarecrow Tour is a self-guided tour you can participate in with your loved ones. Waconia Chamber-member businesses create scarecrows for the community to tour outside their shops. This event continues to be a terrific way to showcase Waconia businesses and organizations and bring people out to explore Waconia.
| | |
Post your jobs on DestinationWaconia.org
and the Waconia Works Facebook Page.
| | | | |
Thursday, September 24 | 11:30AM-1:00PM
The Winery at Sovereign Estate
9950 N Shore Rd, Waconia
Join us as we hear from invited candidates for office.
Cost: $35/member, $45/not yet member
Deadline to register: Monday, September 21
| | Chamber Calendar - September 2026 | | |
SEPT 3 Coffee Connection, 7:30AM-9:00AM @Gather and Grow Food Shelf
SEPT 10 Retail Meeting, 9:00AM-10:00AM
SEPT 17 Ambassadors, 8:45AM-10:00AM @Chamber Office
SEPT 18 Nickle Dickle Eve Street Dance, 7:30AM-11:30PM @Downtown Waconia
SEPT 19 65th Annual Nickle Dickle Day, 8:00AM-5:00PM @Downtown Waconia
SEPT 29 Chamber Conversations, 1:30PM-3:30PM @Chamber Office
OCT 1 Tri-Chamber Mixer, 4:00PM-6:00PM @Southern Social (2880 Chaska Blvd)
| | |
The Waconia Chamber office will be closed on September 7 in observance of Labor Day.
| | |
STAY CONNECTED
@DestinationWaconia
| | | | |
