The leaves are starting to change color, temperatures are starting to cool, the kids are back to school, and it’s time for the Chaska Downtown Block Party!

Last year in September, as Second Street reopened after months of construction, we decided there was only one thing to do to mark the occasion – celebrate! We wanted to take an opportunity to recognize our amazing local businesses, and to draw our community back together one last time in the fall. Our first Block Party was so much fun that we decided to do it again this year… but do it bigger and better on September 29th!

What does “bigger and better” look like? We decided to partner with Guardian Angels Catholic Church this year and include their Fall Fest with our 2nd Annual Chaska Block Party. Events will start at noon on Second Street with adult Zumba and the Kids Cookie Race, and then the day’s party really kicks off at 1:00 with food, drinks, music, fun, and games stretching up and down Second Street. At 5:00, the day’s activities will shift down to Guardian Angels, and we will celebrate on their grounds through the evening until 9:00.

The Block Party has something for everyone! For the kids, we’ll have bounce houses and a blow-up obstacle course, the kids dress up parade, glitter tattoos, balloon animals, and more. Shop our local businesses and the Farmers Market vendors, play some bingo, or just hang out and grab some food and drinks while you connect with neighbors and friends. There will be tours of the historic Guardian Angels Church, carriage rides, a car show, and for kids of all ages, the 100-foot zipline!

The Block Party is the perfect opportunity to celebrate all Chaska has to offer! From our thriving downtown businesses and entertainment to our vibrant faith communities, we are proud to be part of the southwest metro’s active, growing population. There’s so much to see and learn about Chaska, and the Block Party is the perfect showcase for both residents and guests to discover all we have to give as a community.

You’re invited! Yes, you! And your family, and your friends! Come on down and join us on September 29th at the 2018 Chaska Downtown Block Party, and let’s sneak in one last outdoor celebration before the snow flies and winter slides in!

Download this PDF for the full lineup of the day’s activities.

Friday mornings at Red Bench Bakery are a lot! A lot of laughter, community, coffee, and fun!

We all enjoy the simple pleasures. A cup of joe, a chocolate almond croissant, and a few of our closest friends to sit down and catch up! The pleasures here are more than simple. The coffee, which I opted for in a Red Bench mug was as perfect as the artisan treats in which I sampled. What really struck me though, was the community aspect, Red Bench Bakery much like Dunn Bros Coffee provides this opportunity to come together as a community and break bread. This chance to get to know our neighbors, business partners and new friends in a historical, beautiful building with the best baked goods around.

Red Bench Bakery is the brain child of Andy Mooney, who crafted his trade making artisan bread and pastries in hotels, restaurants, bakeries, local markets, and patisseries all around Minnesota. The beautiful Red Bench location served as the Chaska Bakery home from 1884 to 2009, so you are truly gifted with a piece of history every time you stop in.

I might be back for lunch because I’ve heard it’s pretty amazing but in the meantime we have 3 more new businesses downtown that I’m planning on checking out. I’m also open to any thoughts or feedback on other downtown Chaska businesses you want to know more about!

Chaska Bakery – Circa 1920

Red Bench Bakery – Circa 2018

#doitdowntown #downtownchaska #did #redbenchbakery

Join us every week as we stop and shop, eat or get to know a Downtown Chaska business! Perhaps you’ve wanted to know more about a specific business or just want to add your experience.

Either way stay tuned as we head out and about in downtown to show you more of the great things happening. Our first visit is happening tomorrow at the all new Red Bench Bakery, we’ve heard the buzz all over town about the Almond Croissant and are ready to dig in! Stay tuned for our next blog post and a Facebook live video of the beautiful space!

#downtownchaska #doitdowntown #did #redbenchbakery #finallyfriday