Mankato chamber discusses upcoming fall events

Nine Mankato Chamber of Commerce members were present for the monthly meeting last Wednesday at the senior center. President Jason Ortman called the meeting to order. Haley Nelson read the August minutes. They were approved as read. There was no treasurer’s report to give. 

The chamber discussed the Community Birthday Calendars. The chamber will order 125 calendars. A picture of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will be used for the picture. Eight members were in favor and one opposed.

The historical society has contacted the chamber to see if the chamber would be interested in helping sponsor a bigger band during the threshing bee on Saturday evening instead of them sponsoring one Friday and the chamber sponsoring one Saturday. A motion passed to use $1,000 of the budget to go towards the band.

The Garage Sale Mall will take place during the Highway 36 Treasure Hunt Sept.19-21. There are seven booths in total rented so far.

The chamber continued discussing the Grizzly Pride Tailgate. The chamber will serve a meal before the Sweetheart game on Feb. 14. A time and meal will be decided when the tailgate gets closer. 

The chamber discussed the annual meeting. It was approved to have the 2025 Annual Meeting on Monday, Jan. 6.  

The Christmas in Mankato committee has been working on collecting items for a raffle to be used to help pay for insurance for the event. It was approved to donate $100 in Chamber Bucks to be used for the raffle. There will also be the 2nd Annual Storefront Decorating Contest. There will be five community members as judges and they will judge the participating businesses the week of the event. Participating businesses are asked to decorate with a “Polar Express” theme and to have their business decorated by Saturday, Nov. 23. There was also discussion about who could be Santa and Mrs. Claus for the event this year.

Downtown Trick-or-Treat will take place on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 3:30-5 p.m. Haley Nelson will get participation forms to the downtown businesses and others not located on Commercial Steet will be encouraged to come downtown for trunk-or-treating. There will also be a pumpkin decorating contest again this year. with the same age groups and prizes as last year.  

James Berry and Jason Ortman have been checking into the possibility of hosting a Defensive Driving Course. 

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 9.