




Riverwood Blood Drive
Riverwood is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross next week!
If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. We still have lots of open spots available so please pass this along to those in your department. It's not every day that we get to do something that has such a lifesaving impact.
Drive Date: May 5th & 6th
Drive Times: 11am to 5pm
Location: Riverwood Aitkin Conference Room C & D
Contact: Sam Ruud | sruud@rwhealth.org | 218-297-5162
Sign up at RedCrossBlood.org


May Business After Hours
Business After Hours at Pal & Co & The Beanery
Join us for a fun and casual evening at two of Aitkin’s most beloved spots—Pal & Co and The Beanery! This special Business After Hours event will give you the opportunity to network with fellow Chamber members, enjoy delicious refreshments, and learn more about the incredible services these local businesses offer.
Date: May 22nd
Time: 5PM - 7PM
Location: Pal & Co and The Beanery, Aitkin, MN
Event Highlights:
Mix and mingle with local business owners and community members.
Discover the latest offerings at Pal & Co, your go-to for boutique clothing and gifts.
Sip on refreshments and treats at The Beanery while enjoying a relaxing atmosphere.
Special promotions and giveaways to make your evening even more enjoyable!
This is a perfect opportunity to support local businesses while making valuable connections within the Aitkin community. Whether you’re a regular at The Beanery or haven’t yet discovered Pal & Co, this event is the perfect chance to explore what makes Aitkin’s business scene so vibrant.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Paddle Your Glass Off
Have some fun with your friends by kayaking down the Mississippi and enjoying some delicious brews afterwards.

Rivers and Lakes Fair
Rivers & Lakes Fair Mission (RALF) Statement:
The Rivers and Lakes Fair of Aitkin County, Minnesota provides information and education on natural resources, for children and adults, within a stimulating and enjoyable setting.
The purpose of the fair is to:
Bring individuals and resource specialists together;
Create a respect and concern for our natural resources
Promote stewardship through wise management of natural resources.

LIVE MUSIC - SLC with Special Guest at Block North's Locker Room
Live music and tons of fun with friends.
Join Dave and Nicole with a special guest at the Block North Locker Room in Nicole's home town of Aitkin!
Come hear some fantastic Americana, vintage pop and classic country while enjoying a refreshing beer and delicious pizza. Hope to see you 'up north'! ~ SLC

Let's Go Girls - Ladies Night Out Aitkin
Let’s Go Girls – Ladies Night Out
Downtown Aitkin, MN
Thursday, June 19 | 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Let’s go girls! Grab your crew and head downtown for an evening of fun, music, and local shopping at Aitkin’s Ladies Night Out—with a cowgirl twist!
Here’s what’s happening:
Live Music to keep the good vibes going
Great Deals at your favorite local shops
Bar Service to toast to a night out
Prizes & Giveaways you won’t want to miss
Pull on your boots, bring your best gals, and enjoy a night made for kickin’ back and having a blast. It’s all about good times, local love, and letting loose—let’s go girls!
Prizes and drawings will be announced at 7PM

Nature Rocks - Concert for Conservation 2025
Summer will get off to a rockin’ start with a summer solstice concert in downtown Aitkin featuring Minnesota singer/songwriting icon GB Leighton and the Jorgensens.
Nature Rocks – Concert for Conservation will be from 5-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. Proceeds will pay for scholarships for students to attend outdoor adventure camps and outdoor school field trips at Long Lake Conservation Center...

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union Blood Drive
Blood Drive
Our Aitkin location will be hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, June 24 between 10am and 4pm, save a life by donating blood!
To register, visit the American Red Cross website at:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/
Enter 56431 as your zip code and look for Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union.

Aitkin County Fair
There’s something for everyone at this family-friendly summer celebration!
Join the fun at the Aitkin County Fair, where tradition meets excitement! Enjoy over 20 amusement rides and attractions, live music at the Windy River Stage, mouthwatering fair food, hands-on activities, livestock exhibits, and more.

Ripplesippi Music Fest
Great music, great times.
Celebrate summer in the heart of downtown Aitkin at Ripplesippi Music Fest! This lively outdoor event features a diverse lineup of local and regional musicians and family-friendly fun—all in downtown Aitkin, MN.
On Friday there are 10 various performances throughout town and Saturday after the parade will be the main show!
Proceeds support Aitkin County Friends of the Arts, making it a great time for a great cause.

Riverboat Heritage Days
Date: August 1st & 2nd Location: Aitkin, MN
Highlights of the Event:
Live Music: Enjoy performances from local and regional artists.
Community Events: Participate in various activities hosted by our local businesses that celebrate our community spirit.
Explore Our Downtown Businesses: Check out the amazing shops and restaurants in our vibrant downtown area.
Craft and Vendor Fair: Explore unique crafts and products from local vendors. 10AM-5PM
Parade: Don't miss the vibrant parade showcasing our community at 3PM downtown
Kid's Zone: Fun-filled activities and games for the little ones 11AM-5PM
Sip N Stroll: Take a leisurely walk through downtown while enjoying a variety of beverages from local bars.
...and so much more!
Bring your family and friends for a memorable experience.
Looking to be a part of the parade or street fair? We would LOVE to have you! Go to: https://www.aitkin.com/event-registration

BAM 2025
Aitkin Chosen as a Host of BAM 2025
Exciting News!
Aitkin, MN was chosen as one of the host locations for Bicycling Around Minnesota (BAM)'s four-day bicycling tour in 2025.
We can't wait to welcome the visitors and show how amazing the Aitkin area truly is.
Let's help make BAM 2025 an unforgettable experience!
~ Aitkin AREA Chamber of Commerce

Aitkin Flyers Fly-In Breakfast
2024 Fly-In Attendees
The Aitkin Flyers hold an annual Wild Rice Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In at the Aitkin Municipal Airport, hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 965.
The event features wild rice pancakes, along with bacon, sausage, orange juice, and coffee. It's a fly-in/drive-in event, so you can either fly in your plane or drive to enjoy the breakfast and see the airplanes.
St. John;s Lutheran Church of Cedarbrook
Our annual Youth Pie Auction raises funds for Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and other ministries with children and youth. The Auction is an actual auction of baked goods and handmade items such as quilts and candles. All are welcome!
27452 St. John's Church Road, Aitkin, MN 56431, United States



Annual Dinner - Aitkin AREA Chamber of Commerce
“A Taste of Bavaria”
Join us for our Annual Meeting and Dinner!
Seats are filling up quickly, so don't wait to get yours!
RSVP Required!
If you're a member and want to be part of this special evening, please RSVP by emailing info@aitkin.com or purchase your tickets on our website!

Business After Hours
Join us for an evening of networking and community building at Members Cooperative Credit Union in Aitkin, MN!
Location: Members Cooperative Credit Union at 108 Minnesota Ave N Aitkin, MN 56431.
This Business After Hours event is the perfect opportunity to connect with local professionals, share ideas, and grow your business network in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Enjoy light refreshments and engaging conversations.
Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to strengthen your business relationships and make new connections.
We look forward to seeing you there!



Soils of Our Region w/ SFA & the Long Lake Conservation Foundation
Join us for an educational experience at Long Lake Conservation Center to learn about the history and soils of our region.
The main topics will include:
Glacial history of the area and how that affects the land you are farming on.
What is a bog and what does it look like to farm on land that was once a bog.
Resources for further learning about the history of your particular soil type and area for a deeper understanding of your land.
While the event will be tailored to farmers and gardeners of the Greater Mille Lacs region, we invite anyone interested in sustainable farming, homesteading, living simply and/or connecting with the community to attend.
SFA membership is encouraged but not required.
We will gather in the first building on the right when you come in through the gate. The bog walk will be about 1 mile with lots of stops and talks along the way. It will be on an unpaved, uneven path. Please bring rain/muck boots and outdoor gear for the bog walk.
Registration: The event is free but REGISTRATION is requested.


GigaZone Gaming Championship
This event is one of the largest rural gaming events in the country, attracting over 4,000 people annually the last few years. It is FREE to attend, free to game, and free to be an exhibitor.
New this year will be the GigaZone Gaming Championship High School Invitational, a tournament exclusive to High School esports teams!



ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Class
Riverwood Healthcare Center is partnering with Paul Welch to offer a ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Class Monday, April 7.
Full certification (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and a renewal class (8 a.m.-12 p.m.) will be offered at Riverwood (200 Bunker Hill Dr., Aitkin).
Prepayment is required three weeks prior to the class date. Textbooks will be provided.
Contact Welch for cost information and to register with full name of staff member and which class is required at pauleric61@hotmail.com or call/text 218-537-0389.

Social Hour w/ SFA
It seems like we never get enough time to visit, so the Greater Mille Lacs chapter is hosting an informal social hour so that members, friends, and interested parties can get to know each other better and learn what is happening on each others' farms and gardens.
Refreshments will be served, but bring your own alcoholic beverages if you wish.
Registration: Free event, no registration required


Artist Reception @ Jaques Art Center
Meet Gust Akkanen, the artist behind "A Splash of Color", which is now on display at the Jaques Art Center!
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy!!
Free Admission!












2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference (Day 2 of 2)
Registration Is Now Open!
This event brings together business leaders, economic development professionals, decision-makers, and community champions to build the connections and systems entrepreneurs need to thrive.
Take advantage of the early-bird rate by registering before Wed. Feb. 5th.

Custom Sign Party
March 20th 6:00pm
@Aitkin Legion Post 86
Join us for a fun night of painting your custom sign! Lakes Area Custom will walk you through all the steps to create a sign you will be proud of!

2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference (Day 1 of 2)
Registration Is Now Open!
This event brings together business leaders, economic development professionals, decision-makers, and community champions to build the connections and systems entrepreneurs need to thrive.
Take advantage of the early-bird rate by registering before Wed. Feb. 5th.