YOU’RE INVITED: Waconia Community Expo
WHEN: Saturday, April 6th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
WHERE: Waconia High School
If we gathered a group of Waconia residents and asked them to describe the city in one word, we would no doubt hear terms like inviting, beautiful, vibrant, and home. There are a million reasons (sorry, biased resident here) why these words ring true. You simply can’t beat a drive along North Shore Road taking in the mirror-like sight of Lake Waconia, nothing makes you feel more a part of something than joining the whole town for a busy morning of school drops or bus stops, and you can feel the energy radiate in town on a Saturday afternoon. But what truly makes Waconia inviting, beautiful, vibrant, and home are the people. Their smiles are big, their doors are open wide, and when they gather… just picture the biggest family get-together ever. No matter if it’s an impactful Saturday morning cleaning up the school grounds with Conservation Club or gatherings that offer resources and networking avenues, the people are at the heart of it all.
This year, one such event is back; the biennial Waconia Community Expo which will be held on Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at Waconia High School. During this free event, hosted by the Waconia Chamber, numerous businesses and organizations will be showcased all under one roof. Attendees are encouraged to stroll through the rows of booths, greet favorite businesses, uncover new ones, and above all have fun. Guests can look forward to giveaways, demonstrations, educational seminars, activities, prizes, treats for purchase, and more! Strong and mighty Viktor the Viking will also be making an appearance at noon and Touch-a-Truck is back due to popular demand, because honestly, who doesn’t want to honk the powerful horn of a snow plow? And there’s an exciting new element this year- a themed approach to the Expo! Health and Wellness will be in the spotlight, so anticipate some extra special experiences that highlight holistic living such as stress reduction and increased oxytocin levels in the way of snuggling baby goats. Yep, you read that right.
Sergeant Tyler Stahn says that everyone at the Sheriff’s office is passionate about engaging with the public, so opportunities like this really excite them. “We like getting out and having conversations on a personal level (when there’s no fear of a citation!)” “We are public servants, and we want the community to feel comfortable with who we are and get a better understanding of what we do.”
To do just that they’ll have their K9 partner along ready to perform an afternoon demonstration, as well as many pieces of equipment and tools that are used in their day-to-day activities. Sergeant Stahn encourages everybody to save the date and be sure to stop by and say hi, ask questions, and get a better sense of who they are since they play such a vital and visible in the county. “As it pertains to fostering connections, this is what our presence at the Expo is all about.”
The Carver County Sheriff’s Office K9 demo is an Expo favorite of Cindy Jamison, a real estate agent at Home Front Realty. “It’s fun for all ages!” Cindy says. “There are entertaining demonstrations that anyone can take advantage of, plus there are a ton of opportunities to win great prizes and pick up freebies from vendors.” Along with the entertainment provided, Cindy loves participating because she feels it’s vital to her business to show up, support the Chamber, answer questions, and hopefully educate the community on what’s happening in the real estate market. “Hosting a booth is easy and it can be very rewarding to meet those who work and live here. It’s such an inexpensive way to be seen in person and have the opportunity to market your business!”
To complement the Health and Wellness theme, Neubauer Chiropractic Health Center is doing a demonstration called Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Posture. This presentation will include a mix of education as well as interactive and simple exercises so that attendees can leave with tools to improve their posture while at home or work. Dr. Matt Neubauer shares,” We have been participating in the Expo for many years now. As a local business, it’s important for us to connect with the community on a regular basis.” He also adds that this occasion allows him and his team to educate individuals about the benefits of chiropractic… and they just really love the in-person interaction.
So, in true Waconia fashion, you, along with your family and friends, are cordially invited to the Waconia Community Expo on Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Come as you are, we’ve saved a spot just for you – and no need to worry about removing your shoes.
For a list of participating businesses and a schedule of this exciting day, visit Destinationwaconia.org/expo.
If you’re a business that is interested in engaging with the community, networking with other businesses, and being a part of a really fun day, there’s still time to reserve your booth! You have until March 31st and you can sign up by clicking the button below.
