31st annual Holiday Stroll slated for Saturday
Trending
The sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season will be on full display this Saturday during the 31st annual Holiday Stroll put on by the Marshalltown Central Business District and a legion of volunteers.
This year's theme, "The Sweetest Christmas," will feature music, food, crafts, kids' activities, carriage rides, a lit parade and more.
The Festival of Trees and Christmas Craft Village at Veterans Memorial Coliseum will run noon to 7 p.m. and include a one-time fee at the door of $3 for 18+ and $1 for those ages 12-17. Children under 11 and veterans get in for free. All proceeds go towards the Holiday Stroll.
See the impressive display of decorated trees and wreaths plus shop the vendors.
The Coliseum will be selling soft pretzels, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza crunchers, nachos and super nachos, plus three specialty drinks: Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Spiced Hot Apple Cider and Washington Apple.
KDAO will be broadcasting live from inside to provide updates and holiday tunes.
As the sun goes down, enjoy the decorated storefronts from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. as downtown businesses vie for the best holiday window display.
Promotions Chair Alushia Fitzgerald said the windows would be judged by a panel of local artists: Joshua Cox, Kelly Schwartz and Kim Hanken.
"It will be fun because it will all go along with this year's theme," Fitzgerald said. "We have 10 confirmed stores that will participate and a lot will just decorate in general. I think it really adds to the ambience downtown."
The lighted parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. -- a half hour later than last year's -- with the route running along Main Street from Third Street to Second Avenue. The streets will be closed from Third Street to Third Avenue, so utilize public parking lots and side streets.
"It's starting later because people wanted to better see the lights on the floats," she added. "There will be a few floats parked on Main Street after the parade for people to enjoy, which is new this year."
There are 15 confirmed floats, and more to come. You can sign up no later than the Friday before the Holiday Stroll. Top Notch Tree Service has sponsored the lit tree on the courthouse lawn.
A kids' carnival will go from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., sponsored and hosted at Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Activities will include: helium balloons, face painting, carnival games with prizes, free popcorn, hot chocolate and cookies/bars.
Also aimed at youth will be Santa's Workshop, hosted at First Interstate Bank and sponsored by the MCBD and the Times-Republican. It will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
First Methodist Church will be serving chili, chili dogs and desserts from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Free will donations will benefit the Marshalltown Salvation Army.
Enjoy holiday photo shoots with DC Photography of Iowa at the Tallcorn Ballroom from 4 to 8 p.m. Also at that location and time, try your hand at cookie decorating, sponsored by Hy-Vee, Heart and Solutions and Dave's Coffee Cakes.
Returning this year will be carriage rides from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Plume Hill Carriage Service. Rides will start in front of the courthouse on Main Street and will go around the block. The horse drawn Christmas wagon is $5 per person and the horse drawn carriage ride is $10 per person. Children 3 and under ride for free.
Fitzgerald said this stroll would mark the first year the downtown has been free of tornado construction work, but there will be some street barricades in place to ensure safety.
Live entertainment will go throughout the day and night. Elim Lutheran Church will host a holiday concert from 3 to 4 p.m. First Presbyterian Church will see performances by Bobcat Academy at 4 p.m. followed by the Miller Middle School Jazz Band at 6 p.m.
Vineyard Christian Fellowship will have the Back Row Boys at 3:30 p.m. playing holiday tuba music, followed by the Marshalltown Men's Chorus at 4:30 p.m. and the Marshall County Brass Quintet at 6 p.m.
Fitzgerald wants attendees to also patron downtown businesses for your holiday shopping and dining needs. She noted many of these entities would be offering sales and specials, plus refreshments. The MCBD is supporting PinkWeekend, which encourages people to #shopsmallfirst.
"I know McGregor's is having paper ornament kits for kids and a hot chocolate bar and screening holiday movies in the store," she noted. "Westown Apartments are hosting the Emerson Women's Impact Network, which will have STEM activities for kids from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m."
In addition, Five Star Real Estate Group/The Outlet Co-Work & Space will hold its open house and Candyland & Cocktails, an interactive family experience, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 119 E. Main St.
"It will basically be like playing live action Candyland with candy stops around the whole building," she said. "They will have beverages, treats and be playing Christmas movies."
Unwind and kick back with the music of Bon Jecci at Tannin from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
As you shop downtown, be sure to pick up a STAR ornament. Every year, the MCBD, downtown businesses and the American Legion team up with the Iowa Veterans Home to provide gifts to residents at IVH. The ornaments contain gift requests. STARS and gifts need to be returned to the original STAR location before Dec. 1.
Fitzgerald said the generosity of the event's sponsors makes the Holiday Stroll possible.
"We also have nominal fees for the vendors, and new this year is a parade entry fee," she explained. "But we try to keep the event as free as possible. We are a non-profit."
Weather always impacts Holiday Stroll attendance.
"Last year it was bitterly cold. This year, it's supposed to be warmer, which means more people will come out," Fitzgerald said.
The MCBD has only one paid position, that of Executive Director Deb Millizer. She said the people who volunteer behind the scenes are essential to the running of the organization and its initiatives.
"I want to give the volunteers recognition. The event wouldn't happen without them," Millizer said.
To help with the Holiday Stroll, reach out to Fitzgerald at alushia@staging2sellit.com or Millizer at director@marshalltownmainstreet.org. To learn more, visit: www.marshalltownmainstreet.org.