Mankato Chamber plans 150th celebration

The monthly meeting for the Mankato Chamber of Commerce took place Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Buffalo Roam with eight members present. President Jason Ortman called the meeting to order. Haley Nelson read the October minutes and they were approved. Haley Nelson also gave the treasurer’s report.

The Community Birthday Calendars are printed. Most of the preordered calendars have been delivered or picked up, there are just three left to be picked up. Jason Ortman is going to take 10 of the remaining calendars to the city office to be given to new residents. The rest of the calendars will be sold at various locations around town. Haley Nelson will work on distributing them to be sold and flyers to be hung around town to advertise.   

Monica Walker gave an update on the planning of the 150th celebration. The celebration will take place May 27 to 29. The  planning committee has received a grant to start working on projects and they have many activities planned for the weekend including a decade dance, parade, carshow, live music, scavenger hunt, volleyball, basketball and cornhole tournaments, food and more. The committee is also going to dig up the time capsule to make sure everything is ready and they will be able to open it that weekend. The chamber discussed children’s activities for the weekend. 

The chamber continued discussing the two travel bloggers who will be traveling along Highway 36. They will be in Mankato Saturday, April 9. An airbnb would be $135 for the night. The chamber is also going to inquire about the cost of lodging at Crest Vue. Ortman is checking about paperwork needed to be done for the travelers. The chamber tabled discussion until the next meeting. 

Downtown Trick-or-Treat  took place Oct. 29. The pumpkin decorating contest winners were first place, Allison Underwood; second place, Keiran Shulda; and third place, Makinna Cross. Many reported that once again there were  a lot of children at the event and everything went well. 

“Christmas in Mankato” will take place from 3:30 to 5:30, Saturday, Nov. 27 at participating local businesses and then the second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Parade will start at 6 p.m., at the Mankato City Park. The chamber agreed to get supplies and serve hot chocolate and hand out candy canes at the park. Haley Nelson will get the supplies needed. She will also send out an email to get help with serving the hot chocolate. 

The annual meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m., Jan 11, at the Buffalo Roam Steakhouse.

The next meeting will take place Dec. 8, at Bob’s of Mankato.