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What’s Chanhappenin’ This Week
⛅ Weather: A rainy start Monday, drying out midweek, then more rain moving back in for the weekend
❓Trivia: How many lakes does Minnesota actually have?
📰 Community News: Market Boulevard's Phase 2 nears completion, a new video Q&A on Avienda, road closures for the Sept. 25 Homecoming Parade, and volunteers repaint the History Center
🍽️ Best of Chanhassen: Voting has closed — winners announced next week
🗓️ Upcoming Events: Last chance for Guys and Dolls, Barnyard Boogie, and Stevie on the Roof
♾️ Weekly Events: Live music, games, & more
🔎 Get Featured: Want your business or event noticed?
📜 A Little Bit of History: The year Chanhassen officially became a city
Hey Chanhassen! Volunteers gave the Chanhassen History Center a fresh coat of paint this month, Market Boulevard's Phase 2 work is nearly done, and there's a new video Q&A out on Avienda. Voting has closed on our first-ever Best of Chanhassen Food & Drink contest, and we'll announce the winners in next week's issue. Plus, Guys and Dolls closes soon at CDT and Stevie Ray moves onto the Dinner Theatres' roof later this month.
Also, I know we usually put ads at the bottom of the page but our partner Beehiiv, the one who makes it possible to send out this newsletter every week, is asking for some help. If you have a minute to fill out their survey at the top of the page, we’d really appreciate it!
Weather This Week
Chanhassen Trivia
Minnesota calls itself the Land of 10,000 Lakes. According to the most recent count, how many lakes larger than ten acres actually sit within the state's borders?
Scroll down for the answer
Community News
Market Boulevard Phase 2 Is Almost Done · Construction on Phase 2 is progressing well: the new railroad crossing panels are complete, most curb work is finished, and sidewalks are underway, with paving expected by the end of next week. The city is targeting September 21 to reopen the Phase 2 area to traffic and shift into Phase 3, which covers the northern corridor and the West 78th Street intersection, including a new traffic signal. Access to City Hall and the post office will be affected once Phase 3 begins, with advance signage posted ahead of time. Learn more
A Video Q&A on Avienda · The city released a short video answering some of the most common questions about the Avienda development, including what's happening now and what's ahead. The Planning Commission is also set to consider a request for amendments to the project's Planned Unit Development, with a public hearing included on the agenda. Watch the video
Homecoming Parade Brings Road Closures Sept. 25 · Chanhassen High School's Homecoming parade steps off Friday, September 25 at 4 PM, with parade-route roads closed to traffic from 3:30–5 PM. Come cheer on the Storm, but plan your commute around it if you're in the area. See the parade route map
Old St. Hubert's Feasibility Study Officially Underway · With the Letter of Understanding signed, the next phase is already in motion. This week, the Save Old St. Hubert's committee signed an agreement with Fox Advancement to lead the feasibility study, the next concrete step toward full restoration of the old church. The study builds on everything the community has already given, including the May gathering with local leaders and the June conversation with nearly 100 neighbors at the library, and will help shape what a capital campaign for Old St. Hubert's could look like. A kickoff event is being planned, with details to come.
Volunteers Give the Chanhassen History Center a Fresh Coat of Paint · A group of local volunteers spent September 12 repainting the Chanhassen History Center, sprucing up a piece of the city's own history. Thank you to everyone who showed up to help out!
Best of Chanhassen Food & Drink 2026
Voting is officially closed for our first Best of Chanhassen Food & Drink awards. Thank you to everyone who cast a ballot!
Results are in, and we'll be announcing your winners in next week's issue on 9/21. Stay tuned!
Upcoming Events
Last Chance for Guys and Dolls
Now through Sat, Sept 26 · Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Guys and Dolls closes its run the same week as this issue's Cars and Caves finale and the Quilt Show — catch it before it's gone. CDT's next Main Stage production, ANNIE, is already on the way. Tickets and info
Environmental Academy
Sept 17 & Sept 24, 6–7:30 PM · Free
Two sessions left in this fall's free series: a Big Woods hike at Camp Fire Minnesota on Sept 17, and a household hazardous waste session and tour at the Carver County Environmental Center in Chaska on Sept 24 (registration required for the Sept 24 session).
Barnyard Boogie
Fri, Sept 18, 5:30 - 7PM · Chanhassen Rec Center · $7/person (kids under 1 free)
Petting zoo, a craft, dancing, and a bounce house for little ones and their grownups. More info here
Yard Waste Site Saturday Hours
Sat, Sept 19, 8 AM–noon · Public Works Facility, 7901 Park Place · Chanhassen residents only
One more Saturday opening before the final one of the season on Oct 24.
Stevie on the Roof
Kicks off Sun, Sept 20 at 12PM · Chanhassen Dinner Theatres · Free to watch
Stevie Ray of Stevie Ray's Improv Company moves onto the Dinner Theatres' roof for a full week — 24 hours a day, rain or shine — to raise $250,000 for the non-profit's work with emerging artists. Stop by the parking lot for the kickoff, or catch challenges, interviews, and antics livestreamed all week. Watch live · Donate
At the Chanhassen Library This Month · A couple of free events left at the library this September:
CHANchats: Coffee with Communities of Belonging — Saturdays through Sept 26, 10–11 AM
Master Gardener Help Desk — Saturdays through Sept 26, 10 AM–1 PM
Chaska Area Quilt Club: "Fall Splendor of Quilts"
Fri–Sat, Sept 25–26 · Chaska Community Center · $10 admission
Around 200 member-made quilts on display, plus a boutique of handmade items, a food truck, and a chance to win the raffle quilt "Winter Botanicals" ($2/ticket). Award-winning quilter Amy Pabst gives lectures both days and teaches two classes; admission includes lectures and the bed turning. More info here
Cars and Caves — Season Finale
Sat, Sept 26, 9 AM–1 PM · Chanhassen AutoPlex · Free to spectate
The last Cars and Caves of the 2026 season. Classic, collector, muscle, antique, street rod, and exotic vehicles are welcome, plus many of the AutoPlex's 120 garage condos open for viewing and coffee, beverages, and food available for purchase. This month's show also features a special Mercedes Cave display of vintage and late-model Mercedes. More info
Chanhassen Fire Department Open House
Mon, Sept 28, starting at 5:30 PM · Chanhassen Fire Station · Free
An annual tradition — tour fire trucks, an ambulance, and a squad car, hit the bounce house and spray house, check out the MN State Patrol rollover simulator, and catch a live demonstration at 8 PM. Donations for Southern Valley Alliance welcome (shampoo, paper towels, diapers, cleaning supplies, gift cards). Parking available at Chanhassen Elementary. Details here
Happenin’ Every Week
Monday
The Initials Game at Lake Drive Tap – 7:00–9:00 PM
Tuesday
Live Music at Brindisi's Pub – 6:00–8:30 PM
Wednesday
Trivia Mafia at Lake Drive Tap – 7:00–9:00 PM
Texas Hold’em at Lake Drive Tap – 6:00–9:00 PM
Saturday
Chanhassen Farmers Market at City Center Park – 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, through September
Live Music at Moe's Char House – 6:00–9:30 PM
Sunday
Music in the Garden at the MN Landscape Arboretum – 1:30–3:00 PM, through October (included with admission)
4th Sunday of the Month
Free Bingo at The O.G. Coffee & Wine Bar – 2:00–3:30 PM
Get Featured
Own a Chanhassen business, or have an upcoming local event? We've made it easier than ever to get in front of over 1,400 neighbors.
🏪 Business Spotlight — Tell us your story and get considered for an upcoming issue.
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🗓️ Event Submission — Hosting an event in Chanhassen or nearby? Share the details and we’ll get it in front of the community.
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Trivia Answer
11,842. That's the most recent count of Minnesota lakes larger than ten acres — well beyond the state's famous "Land of 10,000 Lakes" nickname.
A Little Bit of History
The Year Chanhassen Officially Became a City
Chanhassen wasn't always one place. For decades it existed as a separate village and township, side by side. In 1967, the two merged into a single incorporated city, with a combined population of about 4,200 people — a fraction of the roughly 27,000 who call Chanhassen home today.
Referral Program
Got a friend, neighbor, or coworker in Chanhassen who needs to know what's happenin' around town? Share your link and start racking up free local prizes:
2 referrals → $5 gift card to The O.G. Coffee & Wine Bar ☕
5 referrals → $10 Chipotle gift card 🌯
10 referrals → $15 to Tono Pizza 🍕 (go big or go home!)
Rewards are reviewed before we send them out, so let's keep it real — we're looking for genuine neighbors, not just names on a list.
(referral link in email version only)
Stay Connected
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