T-R PHOTO BY SHANNON RABOTSKI
Carson Nine, 3, of Marshalltown watches the Iowa Central Modular Railroad Group’s modular train drive laps around the model.

McGregor’s Furniture opened the doors of its Main Street location once again on Saturday for the 28th annual Holiday Stroll on Saturday night.

Though the scaffolding on the outside of the building may serve as a grim reminder of the tornado that struck Marshalltown in July 2018, the holiday festivities inside showcased forward momentum in the business.

Hundreds of festival-goers inside McGregor’s participated in the stroll’s first-ever cookie decorating and looked at Iowa Central Modular Railroad Group’s modular train setup.

The building also housed a holiday craft fair — another new event at this year’s Holiday Stroll. Initially set to be outside, the craft fair was moved into McGregor’s due to winds messing up the tables.

Planners of the event were pleased to see the outcome and high attendance and were grateful for the opportunity to make use of McGregor’s building as it prepares to reopen next year.

Seeing such a successful outcome of the night was particularly meaningful for Marshalltown Central Business District director Deb Millizer. Millizer is hoping the see not only the Holiday Stroll continue to grow, but the involvement in the community of the downtown district year round.

“I want to create a place where the feet are going to meet the street,” Millizer said.

For many, the Holiday Stroll is a good place to do just that. Area businesses open their doors to visitors, offering them hot chocolate or cookies and many make donations that will contribute to the following year’s Holiday Stroll fund.

The 2018 Holiday Stroll was impacted by the tornado damage, with fewer businesses participating and fewer events taking place. Since then, however, the community has banded together to show their support and resilience in the aftermath of the tornado. Community members have increased in volunteering, with more volunteers always welcome, and showed up to this year’s event in large numbers with hopes of bringing life back to the downtown district.

This year’s new events proved particularly successful, especially the cookie decorating. With donated cookies from Hy-Vee, Millizer and the rest of the Central Business District allotted for 125 participants and made decorating kits which included cookies, frosting and sprinkles. By 6:30 p.m., the kits had all been used.

Millizer and those involved in the Holiday Stroll hope to see the event continue to grow and bring business and life to Main Street.