NOTE: Information about 2024 will be forthcoming.
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Taco Daze is the Lions Club’s major source of income, which it invests back into the community. More than 100 volunteers work the festival to ensure everyone has a good time.
List of Events (this is the schedule for 2023. The schedule for 2024 is forthcoming.)
At the Scandia Community Center:
Raising of the Flag by the Scouts – 10 am
Pickleball Tournament (Scandia Parks and Recreation) – 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Vendors, Farmers Market, and Non-Profits – 10 am – 4 pm
Car, Truck, and Tractor Show – 10 am – 4 pm
Scandia-Marine Lions Food Truck – 10 am – 4 pm
Food Trucks – 10 am – 4 pm
Games and Activities for Children – 10 am – 4 pm
Meister’s Beer Garden – 10 am – 5 pm
Minnesota Armored Combat Demonstrations – 11 am – 3 pm
Scouts Selling Tacos – 11 am – 4 pm
Firefighters Waterball Competition 12 pm – 1 pm
Crafts for Youth and Adults in the Heritage Room – 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Coin Scramble for Children – 2 pm – 2:45 pm
…..Ages 5 and under – 2 pm
…..Ages 6-7 – 2:15 pm
…..Ages 8-9 – 2:30 pm
…..Ages 10-12 – 2:45 pm
At various locations in downtown Scandia:
Trolley stops at various businesses, parking lots, and activities – 9 am – 5 pm
Activities at Gammelgården Museum – 10 am – 4 pm
…..Tomte Community Art Show – 10 am – 4 pm
…..Swedish Folk Painting Art Exhibit – 10 am – 4 pm
…..Scavenger Hunt – 10 am – 4 pm
…..LILA Archery Team Demonstrations – 10 am – 4 pm
…..Tours of the Historic Buildings – 10:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm
…..Butik Open – 10 am – 4 pm
Bingo at Meister’s – 1 pm – 3 pm
Running of the Meatballs – 3:30-4 pm
Parade (starts at the t-ball field on Oakhill Road and travels to the west towards Scandia Elementary School) – 4 – 4:30 pm
Star Watch at Hay Lake Pavilion (Scandia Parks and Recreation) – 8 pm – 10 pm
Sponsorship/Ads
1/8 page ad – 5″x3.625″ $200
1/4 page ad – 5″x7″ $350
1/2 page ad – 10.25″x7″ $600
Full page ad (trolley spot included) $900
Sponsors will be listed on the Taco Daze ads, website, Facebook page, posters, banner, and sandwich board signs; and displayed throughout the Taco Daze event.
Contact smlionstreasurer@gmail.com for more information.
Vendors
All vendors will be noted in the advertising for Taco Daze. If you would like more than your business or organization name listed, there are opportunities to purchase 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full-page ads in the special edition of The Country Messenger that is focused on Taco Daze. Please see the information above about being a sponsor/advertiser. The deadline for purchasing an ad is June 30th. Please note on the advertising form if you will be a vendor.
We hope that you would like to share your work with the community by participating in Taco Daze this year.
Taco-Daze-Vendor-Application 2024
Minnesota Operator Certificate of Compliance 2023
Parade
Be a part of the Taco Daze parade this year by entering your float or mini-float (children’s wagon size)! The parade encourages a variety of units in addition to floats: non-profit organizations; marching bands; cheer, gymnastics, or dance teams; military; tractors; businesses; antique cars; youth groups (4-H, Scouts); churches; town festivals; animals; and fire departments.
To register, please complete the Taco Daze Parade Registration Form; and email or mail it to Heather Benson at Hdbenson132@gmail.com.
2023 Taco Daze Parade Registration Form
For more information, contact Heather Benson at Hdbenson132@gmail.com.
Car, Truck, and Tractor Show
Enter your classic or antique car, truck, or tractor in this annual show at Taco Daze.
We’re looking for antique hot rods, muscle cars, coupes, roadsters, trucks, and much more. Cars and trucks from the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s – American-made or imported – all are welcome!
Do you have a rare or historic antique tractor to show? Bring it to Taco Daze! Gas- or steam-powered tractors are equally interesting for Car, Truck, and Tractor Show attendees.
There is guaranteed show space for the first 50 registered vehicles. Free registration includes a dash plaque.
Check-in is between 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Scandia Community Center.
Contact George Galleberg at ggalleberg@gmail.com or Bob Nemeth at pdg9394@msn.com for more information.
To register, please complete the Car, Truck, and Tractor Show Registration Form; and email or mail it to George or Bob.
Taco Daze History
Taco Daze began when a group of Scandia residents formed the Scandia Tennis Association in 1975 to raise money to build a tennis court. Charter members were Donna Meister, Jule Meister Nelson, Gretchen Clark, Sharon Lindberg, Jim Lindberg and Sharon Kult.
That first year, a fish fry was held outside Meister’s Bar and Grill. The following year the group held a brat feed, the next year tacos were sold, solidifying the event that has brought community members together for more than 40 years. The first five years brought in enough money to build the tennis court, but the event continued. A parade was added in 1982, and when the new Scandia Community Center was built, it moved to that location.
Over the years, money from the event has been used to pay for fencing around the tennis courts, playground equipment, the outdoor water fountain, outdoor toilets, the new coffee machines in the community center, and outdoor signs.
In 1995, the group of volunteers turned the reins over to the Boy Scouts to make the tacos and the Lions to run bingo and sponsor the dance. Local groups like Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, and others began providing assistance, and Meister’s Bar and Grill added live music in the evening.
Current and Past Themes:
2023 – Tomte Taco Daze with Everything Swedish
2022 – Go Green
2021 – Hometown Heroes
2020 – Taco Daze was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Fashion Days – Show Your Heritage
2018 Viva Las Scandia
2017 Scandia’s Fiesta
2016 The SwedeStones
2015 Pirates of the Scandiaribbean
2014 Roaring 20’s
2013 Taco Trekkie – Beam Me Up Swedie!
2012 Under the Big Tent
2011 Happy “Dala” Daze
2010 Viva Las Vegas
2009 Swedish Tales of Pioneer Trails
2008 Swedish Beach Party
2007 Swedish Hollywood
2006 Back to the 50’s
2005 Swedish Wild West
2004 Swedish Luau
2003 Swedish Mardi Gras