The lack of information available about the ongoing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak and resulting uncertainty has caused some Marshalltonians to forgo plans to attend this year’s annual Oktemberfest. However, the beloved, longstanding festival is still going on as planned.

Mayor Joel Greer said “it’s all systems go” for the event. He did field some Legionnaires’ related questions during a meeting with a class coming to Marshalltown for a 50-year reunion recently.

“I told them the same thing the state epidemiologist told me,” he said. “The towers have been sampled, tested and remediated. There is no reason to fear. I hope people plan on participating in Oktemberfest as they planned to.”

Oktemberfest Board Treasurer Vicky Daters said members have been watching the outbreak very closely since it was announced Sept. 4, as they want everyone to have a safe and great weekend at the event. They have found the lack of information regarding the source of the outbreak to be troublesome.

“However, following what our Marshall [County] and Iowa Departments of Public Health have stated, this is not something that is contagious, and does not spread person to person,” she said. “We will be outside in the open air with no misting sources.”

Legionnaires’ disease develops in a person after they breathe in legionella bacteria-contaminated mist or water vapor. Many of the cases are believed to have stemmed from cooling towers, or large air conditioning units used by businesses. It is not found in home air conditioning units, as those generally do not utilize water.

As a result of the outbreak, of which there were 69 cases as of Thursday, no changes have been made to Oktemberfest. Daters assured that it will be in the open air without active misting systems.

However, due to the downtown streetscape project, there is a change of location.

“Our location is not by the courthouse as many are used to,” Daters said. “We will be located on Church Street, and that’s also the parade route. Look for maps to be posted soon.”

The Legionnaires’ outbreak has made some residents nervous, and they are opting to not go anywhere because they do not know which locations might be the source of the legionella bacteria. Some residents have stated they will not attend the Sept. 27 Oktemberfest parade, which starts at 10 a.m. and attracts numerous entries and spectators. The Elks Lodge did withdraw their entry from the parade due to the outbreak, but they have been the only one to do so thus far.

“No others have contacted us to say they are not participating because of the outbreak,” she said.

Greer said he understands if people who are elderly and have chronic health conditions that affect the lungs want to stay home. Those people are more susceptible to Legionnaires.’ They should do whatever makes them feel safe, he added. However, he will be attending Oktemberfest.

“I’m a 72-year-old with asthma who lives on the north side, and I’m not afraid to go out,” Greer said. “I’m not telling anybody to stay in, wear a mask or go to a nunnery.”

There are currently 75 entries for the Oktemberfest parade, and included in that total are several new businesses and groups which were not present in 2024. Daters added that the full schedule of events is available on their website oktemberfest.com/event-schedule.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.