Chamber Links: news and updates | | September 30th, 2025 | Volume 7 Issue 9 | | THIS NEWSLETTER IS POWERED BY CATALYST MEMBER | | | | |
A Note From Heather
While you might think things slow down as summer fades, that’s not the case here at the Chamber! We’ve been busy kicking off a full season of fall activities, starting with the Lake City Fall Fest.
On Sunday, September 28, we celebrated the Fun Zone Grand Opening in Patton Park, and what a wonderful day it was to gather as a community!...
Read more from Heather's letter here
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October 4, 2025
Downtown Lake City
Celebrate the apple harvest and our region’s creative community at Johnny Appleseed Day!
This sprawling downtown block party features: live music, a beer and cider fest, dozens of artists, crafters, and upcycle vendors, food trucks, kids activities, pie eating contest, wagon rides, and other free fall-tastic fun!
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While you're exploring the fest be sure to stop by the Shops of Lake City and grab your Johnny Appleseed Shop Passport. Explore our downtown, shop indie shops and boutiques, and fill your Passport to win a free gift!
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Oct 4 (Washington St) 1pm-3pm
Beer and Cider Fest
Celebrate the autumn harvest with us at our 3rd Annual Beer and Cider Fest. Dozens of ciders and breweries will be on hand at Johnny Appleseed Days to sample their delicious elixirs and talk shop with guests. Enjoy the most beautiful vistas in southern Minnesota, all whilst sipping on a variety of the best brews and ciders available.
1pm-3pm.
Get tickets in advance here.
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11am-1pm
Touch-a-Truck
Ambulances, firetrucks, busses, oh my! Join us for loads of activities for kids of all ages at the 5th annual Touch-a-Truck and Firemen's Open House.
Remember when the big rigs conjured up all sorts of big feelings? Relive those with your family in Lake City, when kids (of all ages) can experience what its like to sit in the cab of a big truck.
11am-2pm.
| | Other Fun Fall Fest Events! | |
October 17 (Port 104) 6:30-9pm
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres from many of our wonderful local south shore restaurants while enjoying some live music at this 19th annual event.
Sample some of the best libations available in the area, and participate in a Silent Auction, Raffle, and Wall of Spirits, supporting Rotary’s Student Exchange Program.
Get tickets here!
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Dead Run
Haunted Hok Si La is on hiatus this year, but if you’re looking for a dead good time, come join our first annual Dead Run! Zombies, mummies, ghouls, and deceased, come in or out of costume and join us in a race where it is okay to come in dead last. Run, shuffle, stumble, or drag along!
Medals and goodie bags guaranteed for the first 100 registered. Register here.
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Dog Costume Contest
October 19 (Lake City Dog Park)
1-3pm
The friends of the Lake City Dog Park invite you and your doggo to dress up for the season and join with others for this Halloween Paw-ty!
Bring your furry friends and whole family to this fun community event!
Come early and stay for the gate prize drawing at 3pm.
Woof!
Learn more here
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Fall Fest Fundraiser Lunch & Raffle
Oct 12 (VFW) 11am - 2pm
Ok, by now you’re in love with fall and everything Fall Fest and you want to support future efforts to bring more new and exciting programming to Lake City. So, join us at our local VFW and have fun while assisting this great community event!
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Hok Si La Haunt and Trunk or Treat
Oct 27 (Underwood Park) 11-1pm
A Spooktacular Halloween Party!
Get ready for some ghoulish fun at this free event that's perfect for kids of all ages and promises a day packed with treats, not tricks.
There will be plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including: Games and crafts, food and music, a spooky graveyard, and more!
This year, we're adding a Trunk or Treat to the mix! Decorate your car and hand out candy (see application in the discussion), or just come ready to trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk. Costumes are encouraged, but not required—come as you are!
| | Patton Park Fun Zone Opens! | | The Fun Zone opening party this past weekend was such a blast! We had so much fun watching the kids play and explore, and seeing what the volunteers in Lake City have worked so hard to give to their community. | | | | |
Southeast Area Manufacturer's Luncheon
St. James Hotel, Red Wing, MN
October 6, 2025 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Join us for Keynote Speaker, Bob Kill and a panel of manufacturers to hear about the wins, challenges, and lessons learned in today's manufacturing world.
Register Here
Co-hosted by: Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce, Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce, and Red Wing Area Manufacturers Association
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2025 Workplace Compliance Conference
Bunker Hills Golf Club, Coon Rapids, MN
October 21, 2025 9:30 AM - 1 PM
Are you ready for one of the most sweeping changes to Minnesota’s workplace regulations in decades? Starting January 1, 2026, the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program will take effect, and now is the time to prepare. This year’s Workplace Compliance Conference is designed to help employers, business leaders, and compliance professionals understand the full scope of PFML requirements, including eligibility, funding, implementation timelines and administrative responsibilities. You’ll also receive updates on other key compliance developments from the 2025 legislative session, along with practical guidance and tools to help your organization stay compliant and ready for what’s ahead. Register and learn more here
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Wake Up with Heather
Lake City Public Library
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 8:00am
An engaging opportunity to connect with Chamber staff and fellow members at this monthly Member Forum.
"Wake Up With Heather" is an open forum designed to help you get involved and discover how the Chamber can better support you and your business. Snack on coffee and baked treats and let us know your ideas and needs!
Send Heather an email for more info.
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We've had two epic Business After Hours events since our last newsletter! Cheers to Edward Jones: Steven and John Lang and Off The Rails Bistro who hosted on August 25th, and to Musty Barnhart for inviting our community of Chamber members to their annual rooftop party on September 25th at the Rivage with snacks from Huettl's, Kelly's Lakehouse, and Off the Rails!
Coming up on October 23rd, Lake City Area Arts will host in their beautiful space on Center Street! Don't miss out on these great opportunities to network and have some fun!
If your business or organization would like to host a Business After Hours in the future, please contact us at chamberevents@lakecity.org, and let’s set one up!
| | Giving Back Through the Y Knot Tri | | |
Following this year’s Y Knot Triathlon, the Lake City Chamber proudly donated $500 each to the Red Wing and Lake City Environmental Learning Programs (ELP).
The Lake City Environmental Learning Program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to opening the eyes of youth to the endless outdoor possibilities that await them. They focus on guiding our youth through countless outdoor adventures to help them gain confidence and leadership in team settings, develop their skills in various activities, and to gain a natural appreciation and sense of responsibility for our natural world. They take kids on unforgettable journeys--where they learn about the outdoors, life, and most importantly, they learn about themselves.
The Y-Knot-Tri and Lake City Chamber are committed to supporting silent sports and giving back to the communities that make our events possible. These partnerships are especially meaningful as we work with both organizations each year - renting kayaks for the paddle portion of the triathlon and building connections that strengthen our region.
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