After a slate of successful promotions last year, including a reenergized Holiday Stroll, the 2020 Marshalltown Central Business District promotions committee is not resting on their laurels.

They have a slate of at least five promotions planned to build awareness of Central Business District.

“Being a Main Street Iowa community, our goal is to attract residents to downtown and enjoy everything the CBD has to offer, not only on Main Street, but throughout the district. The core of every event is to promote all of the district businesses,” promotions chairperson and Main Street business owner Aluisha Fitzgerald of Marshalltown said.

This year will showcase a mix of new and old favorites.

Also, the all-volunteer committee has reached out to form partnerships with the Historical Society of Marshall County and Cartwright Farmer’s Market among others.

Historic Tour of Homes

“On June 20, we will partner with the Historical Society of Marshall County for a tour of five or six distinctive Marshalltown homes,” Fitzgerald said. “We are also considering including a tea service at the elegant Mowry-Irvine Mansion on Main Street, which houses Historical Society of Marshall County offices and many of their important artifacts.”

Ridiculous Days

“On Aug. 8, Ridiculous Days makes a comeback,” Fitzgerald said. “Last year we called it Main Street Madness, but the committee went back to the promotion’s former name because the public recognizes it. We are expanding the promotion, so it will be a little bit bigger with more activities.”

Fitzgerald said Central Business District businesses and merchants will have special sidewalk displays with discounted merchandise. In past years, some business people and retailers would dress up in whimsical costumes.

Halloween Event

Fitzgerald and team are still working on an official name for this new promotion, but residents can look forward to spooks, goblins and more Oct. 28.

“We are partnering with the Cartwright Farmer’s Market,” Fitzgerald said. “We are hoping to tie in a lot of events with the Cartwright Farmer’s Market including some at their site next to the Binford House. We expect to have events for children and more.”

Holiday Stroll

The 29th annual Holiday Stroll will be Nov. 21.

“The Holiday Stroll is our biggest promotion of the year,” Fitzgerald said. “We hope to duplicate the success of the 2019 event, ‘Deck the Halls: A Vintage Christmas in the Historic District.'”

Fitzgerald got her start with CBD by helping with the 2016 event.

Adopt A Veteran

“On Dec. 6, the Central Business District will again help Iowa Veterans Home residents without family, or family not able to visit Iowa Veterans Home celebrate Christmas at the 19th Annual Adopt A Veteran program,” Fitzgerald said.

Last year 285 veterans received a variety of gifts donated by Marshalltown businesses and residents. The Iowa Veterans Home Malloy Leisure Resource Center was packed with residents, staff, volunteers, musicians and more. Gayle and Vic Hellberg of Marshalltown were instrumental starting this tradition in 2001.

Others

“We are working with the Marshall County Arts & Cultural Alliance to schedule events, but nothing has been finalized,” Fitzgerald said. “Also in the works are small, mini-events for the Central Business District businesses themselves. These may be just for the businesses, to celebrate what they do and create a sense of community in the downtown again.”

For more information, contact the Marshalltown Central Business District at 641-844-2001, or visit marshalltownmainstreet.org, or the organization’s Facebook page.