There were several firsts during this year’s annual Nokomis Days festival. “The first weekend in August” reads on all banners and yard signs throughout the neighborhood. The Nokomis East Business Association (NEBA), which organizes the festival each year, is consistent to say the least.
The primary “first” to be celebrated during the fourth year of Nokomis Days was that there was no rain, only shine and Mother Earth spared us from the ever-changing summer extremes that hardens our Midwestern pride. Neighbors got to relax and enjoy family-friendly activities, free stuff and lots of shopping. Members of NEBA volunteer their time and resources to create a memorable experience for the community to have yet another excuse to celebrate this short season we call summer.
One of the main attractions is the Nokomis Shoe Shop sidewalk sale. If you’ve never complimented someone’s shoes in the neighborhood and gotten the response, “Thanks, I got them at Nokomis Shoe’s annual sale!" then I don’t believe you if you say you live in town. The sfamily-run business reported having record sales.
This year’s classic car show (sponsored by Nokomis Tattoo, McDonald’s Liquor and Steve’s Tire & Auto) was expanded from the parking lot of McDonald’s Liquor to also include New Branches Church, which not only gave way to a wider variety of classic and vintage cars but also an expanding audience including attendees from southern suburbs of Minneapolis.
Saturday’s vendor market also expanded this year from Oxendale’s to include Nokomis Family Dental’s parking lot (the old Wells Fargo building). The buzz from the shoe sale sent neighbors over and down 34th street to visit vendors such as Watt Cycle Works, WebVolta, Ostrichized Brewing, Wandering Charcuterie, Minneapolis electoral candidates and more. Sarah Friedman with RPCV Alliance for Ukraine raised over $600 in cookbook sales which goes towards delivering critical humanitarian aid to Ukrainians affected by the war.
Metal Mike, owner of Nokomis Tattoo, organized a silent auction for Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA not to be confused with NEBA), and raised over $1,300 for future neighborhood improvements and community organizing. NENA partnered with Town Hall Lanes in their parking lot by having neighbors create a community quilt; look out for this installation as it moves around Nokomis over the next year, starting with Keewaydin Elementary School.
This year NEBA sold buttons displaying Emi of Emerson Dual Language Elementary School’s winning piece from the K-5 art contest. By purchasing a $5 button neighbors helped support NEBA and future Nokomis Days to come while receiving discounts to over 15 Nokomis businesses in August!
Jackie Sawyer, also owner of Nokomis Tattoo, put together this year’s scavenger hunt by posting a short historical piece of and at each brick-and-mortar business that offered an activity over the weekend. Scavenger hunters visited the businesses to read the history lesson and record as many passwords as possible. The winner receives a gift card to their favorite NEBA business!
Let’s not forget about the opening concert and maker’s market, Carbone’s Music Fest, free massage at The Wellness Center MN, Bull’s Horn’s wedding of the year, ice cream social at Natalie Lyon Farmers Insurance, pottery activities at The Cracked Pot Studio and The Workshop, the Underdog Dog rescue event, and more freebies at Trinity Lutheran, Riverside Church, American Legion, Tipsy Steer, Heart of Gold Aurum & Appraisal, Rick’s Coffee Bar and Grande Sunrise.
If you’re feeling nostalgic as summer comes to an end, go visit @nokomiseastba on Instagram to view photos by Tesha M. Christensen and Peter Stein. Until next year at Nokomis Days 2026!
Kara Motta of The Wellness Center MN is secretary of the volunteer-run Nokomis East Business Association. NEBA holds a monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of each month and happy hour on the second Thursday. Email nokomiseastba@gmail.com to get involved.