Chamber Chatter: Nisswa Fall Festival & Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge coming up

The Nisswa Chamber of Commerce is looking ahead to fall with plans for the Nisswa Fall Festival and Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge. This event will be held in Nisswa on Saturday, Sept. 19, with festivities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge still has openings for BBQ teams to enter the challenge. Interested teams can sign up either on nisswa.com or by contacting the chamber of commerce at (218) 963-2620. A panel of judges will select the top BBQ teams, and the popular judging will be done by the public. Winning teams will receive monetary awards and trophies.

The Fall Festival will feature many popular activities from previous years and will introduce a few new activities. The Scarecrow Contest will return from years past, and anyone who would like to make a scarecrow and enter the contest can contact the chamber of commerce for further details. The scarecrows will be on display prior to Sept. 19 for the public to view.

Other activities include trailside arts and crafts, facepainting, Moonwalk, haystack coin and toy hunt, family pumpkin carving, horse drawn wagon rides, and Kids Kreative Krafts.

The Nisswa Lions Club will be offering their tasty Pork-on-a Stick and other outdoor food will be available. Musical acts will perform in the gazebo next to the chamber building and in Nisswa Square.

The Teddy Bear Party is new to the festival this year. Bring your teddy bear and prizes will be awarded in various categories. Treats will be on hand for all who attend this event.

Spiderman, Batman, Minnie Mouse and Belle will visit the Nisswa Fall Festival this year. Children can have their picture taken with their favorite character - bring your camera.

Remember, most of Nisswa's shops and restaurants are open in the fall and many are open year round.

Grounds beautification

program

The Chamber of Commerce is kicking off Phase II of its Paver Project, which is part of the Grounds Beautification Program.

Engraved paver bricks are available for anyone - individuals, clubs, organizations, businesses, chamber members - to purchase and have engraved with the wording of their choice.

The Phase I pavers have been installed in a patio area located between the chamber building and the Paul Bunyan Trail. Phase II pavers will be installed in another area of the chamber grounds that is yet to be determined.

For further information or to receive an informational brochure with an order form, please contact the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce at (218) 963-2620.

"There's No Place Like Nisswa"

www.nisswa.com

(Teresa Faust is interim executive director of the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce.)