50 Scarecrows on the Waconia Scarecrow Tour: October 10-20

Enjoy a self-guided tour of all 50 scarecrows hosted by Waconia businesses all over town! Vote for your favorite and enter to win prizes. Ballots due back to a participating business or the chamber office by Monday, October 21. Thanks to all the hosting businesses! 

Promote Your Business in the NEW Waconia Chamber Membership & Visitors Directory!

We are excited to announce the launch of our newly designed Waconia Membership & Visitors Directory, combining our annual membership directory with our visitor’s bureau into one dynamic publication! 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.

Ready to Advertise? Contact Shelley Dery of Adams Publishing Group at shelley.dery@apgecm.com.

Primary contact: Derrick Chrast

763-843-0557

derrick@derrickstransportation.com

derrickstransportation.com



Need a ride? Give Derrick’s Transportation a call. A professional driver will pick you up in a black SUV and take you where you need to go. Derrick specializes in rides to the airport, but provides transportation for business, sporting events, weddings, or even date night. Make your trip stress free and reserve a ride!

Primary contact: Jamie Joos

612-799-8796

2344 Cypress Lane, Mound

Info@jamiejoosphotography.com

jamiejoosphotography.com

Jamie Joos Photography, a photography studio based in Mound, specializes in capturing stunning portraits, professional headshots, and empowering sessions designed to uplift and celebrate women. Plus, she offers a photo booth rental for special events, making every moment unforgettable and fun.

Primary contact: Christopher Stanley

952-212-6062

711 South Pine Street, Waconia

info@mavcityrestoration.com

mavcityrestoration.com

Maverick City Restoration specializes in storm restoration for roofing, siding, gutters, and windows. Whether you want to enhance your home's curb appeal, improve energy efficiency, or recover from storm damage, Maverick City Restoration's experienced team will get it done.

New Regulations for Minnesota Businesses

Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Plymouth Community Center

14800 34th Ave N

Plymouth, MN 55447

Feeling overwhelmed by the recent changes in Minnesota's compliance landscape? This event is designed for employers and HR professionals like you! Join us for a comprehensive overview of the new compliance measures set by the Minnesota Legislature. We'll break down the regulations, clarify key details, and provide practical strategies for successful implementation. Leave feeling confident and prepared to ensure your organization is compliant.

Lakeside Farm & Flowers Pumpkin Patch Now Open

Open daily dawn to dusk

10405 MN-25, Cologne

Our self-serve, you-pick pumpkin patch is open daily from dawn to dusk, until the pumpkins sell out! Everything is $5 each. We are donating a large portion of this year's sales to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. It is our hope that through advocacy and donations, we can help the continuing efforts to find treatments for ALL types of pediatric cancer.

Waconia Homecoming Week

Friday, October 4 | 5:00PM (parade) + 7:00PM (game)

Community Drive, Waconia

On Friday, it's time to showcase your Wildcat pride as part of Homecoming Week festivities. The Homecoming Parade will begin at 5 p.m. and will travel down Community Drive, starting at Waconia Middle School and ending at Waconia High School.

We will finish off the night at the High School Stadium when the football team hosts the Chaska Hawks at 7 p.m. A reminder that tickets for the football game must be purchased online.

Check out Sweet Wink's food truck at the WHS Football game on Friday night at 7PM.

Ruthie's House Vintage - Halloween Costume Launch

Saturday, October 5 | 10AM-2PM

44 W 1st St, Waconia

Whether you’re in search of something spine-chilling, delightfully retro, or wickedly funky, one of the best haunts for an authentic costume is a vintage shop! Visit Ruthie's this Saturday, October 5, as we kick off Halloween season at the shop. Costumes range from $5 to $50, and we are happy to help you conjure up the perfect look for all ages.

3rd Annual Fall Festival & Costume Contest

Saturday, October 5 | 12:30-2:30PM

Gather and Grow Food Shelf & Connection Center

11 S Elm St, Waconia

Come celebrate the fall season and join in the festivities with proceeds benefiting the Gather and Grow Food Shelf & Connection Center. Mingle with familiar faces, meet new faces and join this fun community event! FREE pumpkins (with foodshelf donations), costume contest, family photos w/fall backdrop, raffle prizes, face painting, cake samples, tasty soup samples, chiropractic advice, Tacos La Catrina food truck, bouncy house, balloon animals, henna tattoos, conversations and MORE!

Waconia Fire Department Open House

Sunday, October 6 | 12-4:00PM

Waconia Fire Station

10451 W 10th St, Waconia

Join us for a fun and educational Waconia Fire Department Open House! Meet local firefighters, explore fire trucks and equipment, and learn important fire safety tips. Enjoy station tours and activities for all ages. It's a great opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes and learn how to keep your home and family safe!

Enjoy FREE Custard at the Fire Department Open House

Culver's Waconia will be offering free custard to the community during the Waconia Fire Department Open House on Sunday, October 6 from 12-4PM.

Crusher Fitness + Health Yoga-ish

Sundays October 6-December 29 | 4:00PM

Crusher Fitness + Health

219 E Frontage Rd, Waconia

Join us for Yoga-ish: True Strength for Mind & Body this Sunday at 4pm! Led by Coach Amber or Coach Aaron (Banded Mobilization), Yoga-ish is an all-levels recovery class designed to give you more—more mobility, more mindfulness, and more strength. It’s not your typical yoga class; it’s the perfect way to recover from the hard work you’ve put in all week. And don’t worry, no pretzel poses here! Just a welcoming space where anyone can feel right at home. All levels welcome! First class is free.

Old National Bank Customer Appreciation Days

October 7-11

Old National Bank

53 W Main St, Waconia

Customer Appreciation Days is when we celebrate clients like you! Register for a chance to win a Solo Stove Smokeless Fire Pit. Treats and giveaways will be available while supplies last, including first aid kits, mini camp mugs, mini lanyards. Bring sensitive documents for free shredding.

Destination Waconia Tourism Committee

Tuesday, October 8 | 9-10AM

Parley Lake Winery

8280 Parley Lake Rd, Waconia

Join the Destination Waconia Tourism Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 8 from 9-10AM at Parley Lake Winery. The committee develops an overall tourism plan that incorporates marketing strategies in order to increase the economic impact to Waconia.

Waconia City Council & Mayor Candidate Forum

Wednesday, October 9 | 7:00PM

Waconia City Hall

201 S Vine St, Waconia

The League of Women Voters of Eastern Carver County will host a candidate forum for the Waconia City Council and Mayor candidates. Submit questions in advance at lwvecc@lwvmn.org. Follow LWVECC on Facebook to view the recording of the forum.

Harvesting Connections: Annual Networking Event for

Eden Prairie, Southwest Metro & Waconia Chambers

Thursday, October 10 | 4-6:00PM

Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery

875 Airport Rd, Waconia

Join us for Harvesting Connections, an annual networking event hosted by the Eden Prairie, Southwest Metro, and Waconia Chambers of Commerce. Held at Schram Vineyards in Waconia, this event offers the perfect opportunity to connect with local business leaders, share ideas, and forge new partnerships. Enjoy a gathering with exceptional wine and beer, great conversations, and the chance to expand your professional network in a beautiful setting. 

No need to RSVP; show up as your schedule allows. Purchase beverages on your own.

Jonesy's Retirement Bash

Thursday, October 10 | 4-7:00PM Open House

Waconia American Legion

4 E Main St, Waconia

Celebrate Jonesy as he retires from Dahlheimer Beverage. Stop by the open house on Thursday, October 10 from 4-7:00PM.

Sizzle Street 5-Months Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, October 12 | 11AM-3PM

813 Marketplace Dr, Waconia

Join us to celebrate with a special lunch buffet from 11AM to 3PM on Saturday October 12. See you then!

3rd Annual Waconia DandyLions Flannel Fall Bar Crawl

Saturday, October 12 | 5:30PM

Check in at Waconia Brewing Company 5:30PM

Join the Waconia Dandylions for our 3rd Annual Flannel Fall Crawl! Let’s take over downtown Waconia while we support local businesses and have some fall flannel fun. All tickets sold go to funding Waconia Dandylions Holiday initiatives. 5:30-7:00pm: Check in at Waconia Brewing Company. Specials at these participating locations with your purchased ticket: Waconia Brewing Company, Chumlys, Saloon, Garage Bowl, Bode Gray’s, American Legion, Hoppers Dance Party.

Carver County Community Development Agency: Financing for Start-Ups & Small Businesses

Wednesday, October 16 | 12-1:30PM

Carver County CDA

705 N Walnut St, Chaska

JOIN US for a FREE, interactive discussion on the ins and outs of financing for start-up entrepreneurs and small businesses. The seminar will offer an honest, plain language conversation centering on:

- When is it appropriate for a business to seek financing?

- What types of financing are available to entrepreneurs?

- What do lenders look for when making loan decisions? 

- What do you need to prepare for the best chance of an approval?

REGISTER today! Space is limited.

Support Hurricane Helene Relief

Saturday, October 19

Thrivent

129 W Main St, Waconia

Thrivent is collecting donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC. Melissa Bobka's (Thrivent) son lives and owns a business in Asheville. She will be traveling to NC with the donations. Click below for a list of items needed. The Supply Drive date for drop offs is October 19 but drop offs will be accepted prior to then at 129 W Main Street, Waconia.

Questions? Email Melissa at melissa.bobka@thrivent.com.

Foundation Honors Trio at Philanthropy Gala

Three community pillars — two from Waconia and one from Chaska, were recognized on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the second annual Celebration of Philanthropy Dinner hosted by the Community Foundation for Carver County.

Awards in Philanthropy were presented that evening to Paul Melchert, long-time Waconia lawyer, community supporter and local historian; and Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, fifth generation Waconia family grocer with deep roots in the community through the store, area food shelf donations and other actions.

Lakeview Clinic Virtual Convenient Care

Now available

Lakeview Clinic expanded Same Day Clinic availability by offering virtual convenient care appointments during evening and weekend hours to patients 18 months and older. 

• Service is for established Lakeview patients. (patients who’ve been seen at Lakeview within the last 3 years)
• Provides services like VirtuWell, but with a Lakeview medical provider.
• Virtual visits will be added to patients chart & medical history allowing primary care doctors to easily access health information.

Family-Friendly Halloween Activities in Waconia

Waconia Chamber Voting Guide

Watch the Waconia Chamber's Meet the Candidates Luncheon and learn more about each candidate running for Waconia City Council, Waconia Mayor, and Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A on DestinationWaconia.org's election page.