Ki Chi Saga Days begin today! New slogan- Phase 2 - We need You!

If you are looking for a little fun this weekend, look no further than Chisago City. That is where you will find the 43rd Annual Ki Chi Saga Days. Ki Chi Saga Days is one of the best celebrations in the area. You can find events to enjoy from Thursday until Sunday evening. Beginning on Thursday and lasting all weekend, there is a city-wide garage sale taking place. Frankie’s will once again be hosting their annual fishing tournament which will begin on Friday but you need to register on Thursday evening. The Wagon Wheel will host a cribbage tournament on Thursday evening fronm 5 to 8 p.m. On Friday things really get moving. In the lot next to Famil Dollar you will find a huge infaltable park for the kids to burn off energy in. There is a Farmer’s Market in Moberg Park from 2-5 p.m. Central Bank will be hosting a community picnic at 3 p.m. a favorite of our family is the sand castle buidling contest held at Paradise Park at 7:30 p.m. (My family and our friends are the reigning champs). There will be a great family movie that will immediately follow the sand castle contest. This year’s movie is “Puss In Boots”.

On Saturday you will need to plan your day accordingly. There is a 5 and a 15K run/walk that begins at Zion Lutheran Church at 8 a.m. Grab your friends and head to City Hall, that is where you will find the clues posted for Moberg’s Hidden Horn. Be the lucky finder and get some cold hard cash. My son’s favorite event is easily the car show at Lakeside Elementary School which begins at 10:30 a.m. There are usually some awesome cars displayed at this show. If your kids like fishing, bring them up to Paradise Park for Frankie’s Kids Fishing tournament. Prizes will be given out for every fish caught. Moberg Park is usually the focal point of Ki Chi Saga Days and this year is no different. You will find Swedish dancers, and the Little Miss Ki Chi Saga crowning along with music in the park, all on Saturday. Saturday evening you have a couple of choices. You can either watch fireworks at Paradise Park or take in Frankie’s Street Dance which features “Westside”. Either way you are guaranteed to have fun. Sunday is parade day.  The Grand Day Parade will meander down Old Towne Road beginning at 2 p.m. You can check this edition of the Press for all events and times. I hope you get a chance to come out and enjoy the festivities.


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The phase two of Lindstrom road construction has really got some people’s blood pressure elevated. If you have driven through town, you know how surreal it looks looking down a completely empty Main Street. The cement is torn up, there are orange construction fences in front of all the businesses and do not enter signs everywhere. Most importantly, there are no people walking around. Why is no people walking around so important? That means our downtown is struggling. That means people are avoiding construction. That means all of these wonderful businesses that make up Lindstrom are really struggling. It is not limited to just Lindstrom, Shafer and Chisago City are struggling as well. I don’t know of any other possible way to express this, so here it goes....Help! You are the only one that can help the businesses out. You are the only one who can make a decision to spend locally. You are the one who might be able to save a few dollars shopping at a big box store, but can make a decision to keep it local. I am not a fear monger, but what will it take for us to realize we have to support our local businesses?  One of them closing? We already have had that. Two?  Three? You see where I am going here. We have the ability to save our communities, now get out there and do it please!

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Edward Jones in Chisago City would like to remind folks that they are still accepting back packs and school supplies. These donated supplies will be given out to the less fortunate children to ensure they have a happy and successful school experience this year. You are encouraged to drop off your donations at the Edward Jones office in Brink’s Plaza in Chisago City before August 31. Thank you. + + + + + + +  One of our outstanding local citizens is retiring the end of August. Steve Levey, whom you might recognize the name because of all the fun I poke at him, is retiring from Focus Financial after 12 sucessful years. Steve is a staple in the community with his involvement with the Lions and of course initiating the annual Carp Festival which is now in its third year. In all seriousness, those who know Steve know that he has a heart the size of Texas and would do anything for anyone at any time. If the world had more Steves in it, we would be in a better place. Come on out to wish him luck in his next adventure in life on August 24. There will be a going away party held at the Cornerstone in Wyoming beginning at 4 p.m. Steve will be there along with his sucessors John Layton and Pete Thoresen.

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Last week we ran a picture of some hardworking adorable kids selling goodies and lemonade. These kids, along with a tad bit of help from their moms, sell tasty treats and lemonade each year to donate towards the American Cancer Society. I am proud to say this year they sold over $200 worth of food! Fantastic job Madison and Natalie Thornburg, Kaitlyn Merry and Weston, Sheldon, Elwood and Juliana Willem! Keep up the great work.

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You will see a huge fish caught by a local fisherman on page 12. If you have a photo of a big fish you have caught locally, please email it to us at [email protected].