It Was All Fun & Games at 2026 Nokomis Days

What a treat it was to spend the first weekend in August surrounded by neighbors during the 5th Annual Nokomis Days event organized by the Nokomis East Business Assocation!

On Saturday August 1st, we were hanging out at the Car Show hosted by Nokomis Tattoo, Steve's Tire & Auto, McDonald's Liquor and New Branches. There, several board members and volunteers took shifts to chat with folks about NENA - explaining our programs and encouraging neighbors to get involved. We also played a fun game with those who visited our table - Guess Where in Nokomis East - where people had to name the location of a business or landmark based on an image for a chance to win prizes. The game was a great way to get people energized and chat about some of the great places we have in our neighborhood. Rockpainting was another way people engaged with NENA at our table; adults and kids alike gathered around to paint rocks to place around the neighborhood. Fun was had by all!

Our presence at the Car Show also included the final bidding opportunity for the 2026 Silent Auction Nearly 25 businesses and individuals donated items - services, food & beverages, merch, and much more - to support NENA, and we had more than 40 bidders participating. We were thrilled to raise $2,205 at this year's auction! We can't thank you enough for supporting us!

As the fun and games were going on at the Car Show, exciting things were happening at another event - our Building Better Yards table during the Vendor Market. This table featured information and sales for the Building Better Yards fundraiser for NENA. Volulnteers were on hand to share information about sustainable and pollinator friendly lawn seeds being offered at a significant discount through Twin City Seed Company. We are so grateful for this generous community, who also values sustainability and making Nokomis East a beautiful place to live! Our amazing volunteers came back out Sunday to table again at the Vendor Market in the morning.

On the evening of Saturday, we co-hosted a Community Celebration in collaboration with three churches, Crosstown Covenant Church, Verbo En Accion Covenant Church, and Trinity Lutheran. This event was an absolute blast! 250 neighbors came out to connect over music, food, dancing, games and activities.

Engaging, connecting and gathering with community is a core part of NENA's mission. We are grateful for opportunities like Nokomis Days to help further our mission, particularly after a harrowing start of 2026 with the intrusion of ICE in Minneapolis. We are proud of the resiliency and courage of our community, and welcomed the chance to show our appreciation of the people in Nokomis East at 2026 Nokomis Days! ♥

We love our community!