Nokomis Days return

The community celebration in Nokomis is back on the first weekend of August. This year, it has a new name: Nokomis Days. But the goal of the event is the same: to draw people into the neighborhood to celebrate the vibrant nature of Nokomis East. Find the complete schedule on pages 10-11 and online at www.nokomiseastba.com.
“I think we have such a great variety of businesses,” observed Dori Johnson of Paddlesculpt (5007 S 34th Ave.). “It’s a little Mayberry gem,” agreed Jennie Tang of The Workshop (5004 S. 34th Ave.).
Both women are part of the Nokomis East Business Association (NEBA) and served on the planning committee that put together Nokomis Days.
“I chose to put a business in the neighborhood for a reason. I need to be part of this neighborhood,” remarked Tang. “This is a neighborhood party.”
The event opens with the Friday night concert at Nokomis Tattoo’s parking lot and event space (4933 S. 34th Ave.) organized by McDonald’s Liquor and Wine. Opening is Ember, followed by Chickaboom and Troglodyte.
Looking for more tunes? On Saturday, drop by Venn Brewing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hear Caydence spin vinyl, and go to Town Hall’s parking lot from 2-5 p.m. for DJ Rock the Monkey.
This year there will be parking lot parties on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Town Hall Lanes (5019 S. 34th Ave.), Oxendale’s (5025 S. 34th Ave.), and Tipsy Steer (5000 Hiawatha Ave.); and a beer party with Fulton at Bull’s Horn (4563 S. 34th Ave.). You might find your new best friend at the Nokomis Tattoo UnderDog Rescue event on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. The Great Pottery Throwdown and screen printing returns at The Workshop, with a new design for 2022.
Begin your Saturday with two different classes at PaddleSculpt. Strong and Calm will start at 8 a.m. and be followed by Row Sculpt at 9 a.m. On Sunday, try yoga at 4 p.m. with Linda Simon of Fit to Live at the Nokomis beach, outside Sandcastle. This is the last year Bull’s Horn owners Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley will be operating Sandcastle, and they’re also hosting live music there on Sunday with Nokomis Life.
Feeling hungry? Drop by Oxendale’s parking lot for free coffee and donuts from Faith Evangelical Lutheran starting at 10 a.m. until they run out. Riverside Evangelical Free Church is hosting a community picnic, and there will be free root beer floats from Trinity Lutheran Church. Order lunch from the Parralilly food truck at Venn Brewing. Enjoy Fulton beer brats with Green Bay-style chili at Bull’s Horn for dinner. Tipsy Steer will have brats and mini donut ice cream floats.
There will be free beer at Grande Sunrise from 2-4 p.m. with a limit of two per person.
Thirty plus years ago, the businesses on 34th Avenue put on Crazy Days each year. For several decades, the lone event that continued to be held was the annual Nokomis Shoe Shop Sidewalk Sale. In 2021, NEBA breathed new life into the beloved community tradition, and held a three-day event spanning the entire neighborhood.
A storm rolled through the community during the 2021 event, which sparked a shift to an indoor sale for Nokomis Shoe and indoor classes at Paddlesculpt.
“The whole neighborhood showed up in force. The rain didn’t scare anyone away. They were awesome. I’ve still got my shirt from The Workshop,” said Mike Welsh of Nokomis Tattoo, who helped lead the charge to bring back the community festival.
“I really like what all the businesses are doing this year. It’s going to be a lot of fun to celebrate all things Nokomis,” Welsh added. “Grande Sunrise, Agrarian Seed, and Steve’s Auto are doing some super fun outside-the-box stuff for this year. I’m looking forward to having a good mellow time.“