The City of Scandia
The city of Scandia in Washington County holds a rich history within its 39 square miles of scenic, rolling landscape dotted with lakes, woodlands, farms and low-density rural development. It’ s said that the first immigrants from Sweden to Minnesota settled in the area, which was incorporated as a city in 2007.
Based on the 2020 census population, nearly 4,000 people live in the city. The residents are supported by a downtown core that includes manufacturing, retail, convenience and professional services. Scandia sits along Minnesota’ s eastern border, within comfortable driving distance of the Twin Cities, and includes such natural gems as the St. Croix River, Big Marine Lake, and William O’ Brien State Park.
The Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia shows off the town’ s Swedish heritage each summer through tours of its historic buildings, displays of artifacts and annual Swedish celebrations. Such examples include its Midsommer Dag, a traditional Swedish festival celebrating the summer solstice in June, and the Spelmansstamma, a Swedish tradition where fiddlers gather in August. Gammelgarden also holds classes celebrating Swedish heritage, like a sausage-making class, Kurbits painting class, and language lessons. Its“ Jul Shop” is open through December for shopping of Swedish gifts, and then is closed until the spring.
Vinterfest, an annual community winter celebration, is typically held the last weekend in January. Events for Vinterfest include the Minnesota Cup adult hockey tournament, a pancake breakfast, clogging performances, a children’ s snow sculpture contest, sledding, and Swedish crafts.
Visitors also come to the area to take part in the Scandia-Marine Lions annual Taco Daze festival, typically held on the Saturday after Labor Day. The event features many forms of fun including a parade, live music, carnival games and treats, a car and tractor show, arts and crafts exhibits, a farmers market, a kids sawdust scramble, a pickleball tournament, and the“ running of the meatballs.” Tacos, cheese curds, corn dogs, a beer garden and more are other highlights of the taco-themed festival.
A five-member City Council, including the mayor, governs the city and meets at 7 p. m. the third Tuesday of each month in the Community Center, 14727 209th Street North. The council also meets for a work session at 6:30 p. m. the first Wednesday of each month. Scandia City Council members and their term-expiration dates: Mayor Steve Kronmiller, Jan. 2027; Kirsten Libby, Jan. 2029; Jim Gribble, Jan. 2029; Michael Lubke, Jan. 2027; and Jerry Cusick, Jan. 2027.
The city’ s planning commission consists of five members appointed by the council for staggered terms of five years. The planning commission meets at 7 p. m. the first Tuesday of each month.
The Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee is composed of five citizen representatives who meet the first Monday of each month at 7 p. m. in the Community Center.
Agendas and meeting minutes for all government meetings are available on the City’ s website at cityofscandia. com
Scandia’ s city staff is lead by city administrator Kyle Morrell, along with deputy clerk Brenda Eklud, as well as a
treasurer and office assistant. Its public works department maintains the city’ s parks, streets, and sewers.
The Washington County Sheriff’ s Office and the Scandia Fire Department, lead by Fire Chief Mike Hinz and his 20-member firefighter crew, handle the city’ s public safety needs. To receive area emergency notifications, Scandia residents can sign up for the county’ s CodeRED system online at cityofscandia. com / city _ services in the“ police services” section.
SANITATION
When the two waste haulers of Scandia, Waste Management and SRC Inc. merged into one, the city entered into a contract agreement with Waste Management as the sole hauler for the area. Waste Management now offers weekly curbside trash pick up and every other week single sort recycling pick up.
The hauler will accept aluminum cans, plastic bottles, steel or tin cans, glass containers, newspaper, mail, uncoated cardboard and magazines recyclable materials. However, light bulbs, metal cookware, food waste, microwave trays, mirrors, coat hangers, household appliances, napkins, propane tanks and batteries are non-recyclable.
More information can be found online at cityofscandia. com / residents / recycling _. php.
Page 14 Forest Lake Community Guide • February, 2026