A fun little riddle for you… what brings tens of thousands of people to Waconia, features an exciting race of costumed rubber ducks, has been known to showcase all things pickled, boasts a park full of arts and crafts and food vendors, and is easily one of the community’s (and beyond) favorite days of the year? You guessed it– It’s Nickle Dickle Day! For over six decades, this popular, bustling event has brought people together on the streets of Waconia, solidifying what we already know–we sure do love a good festival. I talked with Christine Fenner, president of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, to discover more about this dynamic gathering that celebrates local businesses, fun, friends, and family. So shine up your nickels. The 63rd annual Nickle Dickle Day is Saturday, September 14th, and it’s a pretty big dill.
How did Nickle Dickle Day get started?
In the earliest days of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, the Waconia business leaders created the event to attract people to shop downtown. In the beginning, bars agreed to sell beer for a nickel and the churches agreed to sell sloppy joes for a nickel. Why the name Nickle Dickle? The word “dickle” is derived from a German word for bartering, which ties into how the day began. Today, the day draws 30,000 people to town to spend thousands of dollars at Waconia’s shops, restaurants, and bars.
For those who might not be familiar with Nickle Dickle Day, could you share some of the event’s highlights?
-
Nearly 1,000 runners participated in the Waconia Community Education Nickle Dickle Day runs.
-
Hundreds of books were sold at the Friends of the Waconia Public Library Book Sale.
-
460 antique and collector cars and trucks entered the car show.
-
380 basketball players on 127 teams entered the St. Joseph Catholic School’s 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
-
City Square Park hosted 140 arts and crafts vendors and food vendors.
-
80 ducks raced in the Waconia West Carver Rotary Duck Races.
Each year, we have live bands performing, and this year’s line-up in City Square Park is Mike Bustin at 8am, DJ Pickles at 10am, and Traveled Ground at 2:30pm.
The Nickle Dickle Day Medallion Hunt is in its 30th year! The Nickle Dickle wooden nickel is hidden in Waconia with clues released in issues of the Waconia Patriot leading up to Nickle Dickle Day (Pssst… the first clue will arrive August 29th!) The person who finds the medallion wins Waconia Chamber Bucks.
Behind the scenes, planning and preparations go on year-round to ensure the beloved classics remain while keeping the best Saturday in September fresh, energizing, and evolving along with our ever-growing community.
How has the event impacted local downtown businesses over the years?
The event continues to focus on promoting commerce, downtown, and our local businesses. This day was created for them, and many say it’s their best sales day of the year.
According to PredictHQ, in 2023 30,000 people spent $1.9 million on local businesses in Waconia on Nickle Dickle Day.
Who are the main supporters of this event?
Organized by the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organization, and the Nickle Dickle Committee, consisting of leads of each non-profit organization. The City of Waconia Public Works Department is also a strong partner in the setup and logistics for this event.
Why do you believe Nickle Dickle Day holds such importance for the community?
At the heart of this event is our local downtown commerce. The day is about contributing to the downtown’s vibrancy and character while highlighting our community! At its core, Nickle Dickle Day is about shopping, eating, and celebrating local. Over time, it has expanded to include numerous family-friendly and engaging activities for all ages, such as the medallion hunt, car show, arts and crafts, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, runs, book sale, duck races, live music, and more.
What other key aspects should people know about the role of Nickle Dickle Day in the community?
Nickle Dickle Day is a fundraiser for the Waconia Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau as well as a fundraiser for these other local organizations: Waconia Community Education, Waconia West Carver Rotary Club, St. Joseph Catholic School, and the Waconia Public Library.
Learn more about how you can be a part of this Waconia community tradition!
Why the name Nickle Dickle? “Dickle” is derived from a German word for bartering, which ties into how the day began.