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This weekend is a great weekend to stay local.  I think most of us have had our summer getaways (hopefully) and are gearing up for (gulp) school.  So is there a way to save money, have a blast and do it all from literally minutes from your home?  Ki Chi Saga Days is your answer.  It's local, it's mostly free, it's fun and it's super close.

Beginning today, you will notice an abundant amount of garage sales in Chisago City.  That is their city wide garage sale taking place until Sunday. There is a cribbage tournament at the Wagon Wheel Cafe that begins at 5 p.m.

Friday, Frankie's Bait and Marine hosts their annual fishing tournament that begins at 7 a.m.  You can register at frankies.net. Central Bank is hosting their customer appreciation day on Friday as well.  You are invited for some great food and beverages as well as pony rides for the kids and free document shredding from noon until 2 p.m.  At 7:30 p.m., there is the popular sand castle contest.  Grab the kids and your buckets and shovels and head to Paradise Beach Park.  My kids have won the contest in the past and they will tell you how much fun it is.  Immediately following the contest is the outdoor movie "Frozen".  Make sure to bring you camera, because Elsa and Anna from the movie will be at the pavilion for photos with the kids.  Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and some popcorn, there will be snacks available for purchase if you like.

Saturday is packed with events.  Just take your time, you can get to most of them if not all.  Family Pathways is once again sponsoring the Chisago City 5K run/walk.  It begins at 8, but they ask that you show up early to register.  At 9 a.m. the search for Moberg's hidden horn begins.  Clues are posted at City Hall each hour until found. The lucky finder will take home $500. See page 5 for all details. There is a skateboarding contest and also a kids fishing contest that both begin at 10 a.m.  The fishing contest is at Paradise Beach.  Back at Moberg Park, there is a magic show and the ever popular "Little Miss" crowning.  Your kids can enjoy free face painting and crazy hair from noon until 5 p.m.  The classic car and bike show has moved this year.  Instead of being held at Lakeside, the show will now be located at the community center and will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  At 3p.m., Elvis will visit Moberg Park and take the stage.  If you are a fan of Elvis, you do not want to miss this one.  Steve Marcio is one of the best Elvis impersonators you will ever see.  Frankie's parking lot will be the spot for this year's street dance.  The dance begins at 7 p.m.  Finally, head back to Paradise Park for some great fireworks.  They begin at dusk, so I would get there a tad bit early to reserve a good viewing spot.

Sunday at Moberg Park, A Swing and a Miss performs at 11:30.  At noon, there is a raptor show in the park next to Family Dollar.  You will see all of the lawn chairs lined up along Old Towne Road for the Grande Day Parade at 2.  Lake Country Cloggers will perform at Moberg Park starting at 3 p.m and Ki Chi Saga Days will conclude with a pie eating contest at 4:45 p.m.  There, I have not mentioned all of the events, but you will find a schedule in this Press and you can also get notices sent to your phone when events are getting ready to happen by scanning the qr code at the bottom of my column.

Did you notice anything different this week?  I sure noticed everyone's mood improve.  All it took to change our crankiness to happiness was a little rain.  After the spring we had, you would have thought we had enough moisture in these parts.  In the last few weeks, our grass has turned completely brown and we have turned to watering our trees.  The same trees that were submerged in water for what seemed like a couple of months.  But then it happened - a sprinkle on Sunday night.  Then hours of rain.  Soon the smiles came out just like the sun.  Life is simple sometimes.

The Press has some really great advertising opportunities right now.  We have created a new more economical way for businesses that think they are too small or don’t have a huge advertising budget.  I appreciate that.  I do not have a huge budget either.  But here is the deal. We are the local newspaper.  We are by far and away the best way to reach the public.  I understand that businesses have tightened their belts and are cost conscious.  That is why I feel so strongy about helping all businesses, large and small equally.  Please give us a call, we CAN help.  I promise.  I also promise to make it affordable to you and your business.

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