Annual Banquet

The Chamber Annual Banquet showcases the past year’s accomplishments, announces future plans, honors award winners, and recognizes the outgoing officers and board members. The banquet also marks the official annual meeting with a brief business meeting and distribution of the previous year’s fiscal annual report.

A keynote speaker highlights the evening for entertainment as well as educational enlightenment. A silent auction with donated items from the membership adds significant funding to the Chamber operational expenses for the year.

The activities of the Chamber and fiscal year coincide with the calendar and by the time of the banquet in March, the committees and new officers have already hit the ground running to continue the work of the Chamber.

Awake the Lakes and Heritage Fest

More than 100 volunteers produce this Memorial Day Weekend festival which “officially” opens the summer season on the lakes in and around Alexandria. “Awake the Lakes” activities include a full carnival with rides, games and food vendors.

Highlights include a Rib Fest Cook-Off and free concert on Friday plus fireworks as the official festival kick-off. Saturday features a car show, fishing contests, “Breakfast with Big Ole,” a Heritage Fest, sidewalk chalk art show, a World Paddleboat Challenge, street dance, and concert. Sunday is wristband day at the carnival and Monday is highlighted by a pancake breakfast and the annual Memorial Day parade honoring military veterans and those currently serving in active or reserved duty.

Chamber members provide additional funding to bring out residents and visitors for the event which has become the prime place to be for the holiday weekend.

Battle of the Businesses

Instead of taking up arms in a battle, local businesses take up bowling balls and “fight it out” to see who can be the supreme winner in the Battle of the Businesses each fall. Many special games such as “3-6-9” and “Strike Shot” join favorites such as “8-Pin/No-Tap” to provide fun and variety for everyone. Only one team emerges in top honors and along the way, funds are raised for Chamber programs in education and for operational needs.

Business & Industrial Appreciation Day

The Chamber co-sponsors Business and Industrial Appreciation Day with the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission each year.

All members are invited to a special luncheon along with dignitaries from city, county and state to honor a local business that has demonstrated growth and commitment to the Alexandria community. The recipient is also featured in a special publication.

The day’s events include a trade show featuring exhibits and displays by Chamber members and networking opportunities.

Duffer’s Delight Golf Tournament

The month of June really busts out all over with golfers who vie for honors and trophies while piling up funds for Chamber programs. More than 31 teams of various configurations hit the links. During its more than 15-year history, the Duffer’s Delight Tournament has spawned some long-standing rivalries and good natured competition.

Early Bird Open Golf

Winter does not deter diehard golfers from their fun and the Chamber provides them with a special event in February. Early Bird Open Golf features a different theme each year. Some businesses sponsor holes, while others sponsor a team to “golf through” the course. A traveling trophy caps an afternoon of goofy golf plus putting practice before the “real season” begins. As with many Chamber events, this provides a great networking opportunity for participants and volunteers.

Vikingland Band Festival

Minnesota’s largest marching band festival and competition has its roots in Alexandria and its sponsorship through the Chamber of Commerce. The Vikingland Band Festival. sound of music fills the streets of Alexandria the last weekend in June, when over 2,500 high school band musicians arrive to compete in the Vikingland Band Festival. Up to 20 marching bands from throughout Minnesota perform in what is known as Minnesota’s biggest summer marching band competition. Alexandria’s own Jefferson Marching Band plays host to the competing units. The parade is followed by an awards ceremony where each band is recognized. The Vikingland Band Festival weekend has become a tradition in Alexandria as well as an investment in the local economy. Thousands of students and parents travel to Alexandria for the weekend and many of them return for family vacations at a later date. The festival has become a labor of love for a large group of chamber and community leaders who begin planning almost a year in advance.