The Marshalltown Central Business District (MCBD) is releasing a calendar of events for 2026, and it includes Live After Five.

In November, the operation of Live After Five transferred hands from Friends of the Orpheum Theater (FOOT) to the MCBD. According to FOOT President Robert Moore, many factors went into the decision to seek a new operator, but he is excited to see what MCBD does with the annual concert series.

“It was difficult for me to let it go, but it was an important decision to find someone who was a good fit and would keep Live After Five,” he said. “MCBD seemed to be the best candidate.”

Two of the driving factors of changing hands were rising costs and being unable to host at the Orpheum.

“The school district bought the Orpheum, and they are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages on their property,” he said.

Not wanting to see Live After Five stop, the series moved to the parking lot behind Tremont and moved again to West End Park. Moore said it was a great venue, but costs kept rising and their revenue did not.

“The bands, the alcohol, insurance, we had to get porta potties and a police presence,” he said. “We never charged admission. We made all the money from alcohol sales.”

The FOOT board discussed how to keep Live After Five operating, and they put out requests for proposals (RFPs). Besides the RFP submitted by MCBD, the 13th Street District was also interested in taking it on, but the downtown organization made the most sense.

“They have been successful in their downtown activities,” Moore said. “I think it will be a very good transition.”

MCBD Executive Director Danielle Lekin said they will primarily keep the structure of the series as is. The only changes right now are the name — MCBD Presents Live After Five — and the dates. Under FOOT, the concerts were held every Friday in July. Lekin said they plan on hosting on one Friday per month from May through August.

“We’ll spread [the concerts] out through the warm weather months, and have multiple opportunities to enjoy live music downtown,” she said.

Since MCBD only operates downtown, the series will be moved to the Marshall County Courthouse lawn and the bandshell, which is owned by MCBD, will be used.

“That is in the process of being revitalized and will be unveiled at our first Live After Five on May 15,” Lekin said.

She added that the organization is in the process of pursuing an alcohol license, which will allow the beer tent to remain at Live After Five. Beer and wine have been regular beverages at the series, but wine will not be available. Lekin said they will have alcohol alternatives besides beer.

The decision to wait a couple months to announce the change of hands was to coincide with the release of the 2026 calendar.

“Our 2026 is scheduled, and will be announcing events and dates so the community has time to plan, our downtown retailers can plan around those,” Lekin said. “We just want to make sure we’re doing the best we can to partner with people when bringing the community to downtown.”

The lineup for MCBD Present Live After Five has not yet been determined, but Lekin said her phone has been “ringing off the hook with musicians.”

“I don’t think we will be in shortage of having performers,” she said, adding that an event management minor intern from Iowa State University will take on the task of coordinating talent and getting everything lined up.

With May 15 as the chosen date for the first of four concerts, Lekin said they are looking for sponsors. They have four sponsorship levels for people and businesses to choose from – Presenting, Signature, Supporting and Community. There is only one Presenting Sponsor available, and whomever gets that sponsorship will get their logo on marketing materials, a mention in social media posts, stage signage and an opportunity to volunteer at the beer tent. The deadline to sign up for a sponsorship is March 15.

“That also goes into the timing of the announcement, because we were getting our sponsorship brochure ready to go out,” she said. “We’re asking people to commit for the whole year on what they would like to participate in.”

MCBD 2026 CALENDAR:

In addition to MCBD Present Live After Five on May 15, June 12, July 17 and Aug. 7, some other downtown events include:

• Rev Up Downtown on May 27, which will bring classic cars, live entertainment and extended shopping hours;

• Taco Throwdown, June 24, is a competition to determine who makes the best taco. It will bring local restaurants, food trucks and homegrown talent together to compete for the title determined by the vote of attendees;

• Ridiculous Day, July 25;

• Rally Around Downtown, Aug. 19, is a pep rally with the Marshalltown Community School District and features cheer squads, marching bands, athletes, students, performances and school spirit;

• Golf Tournament, Sept. 12;

• Sock Hop, Sept. 30, is a retro summer party with ice cream trucks, vintage music, 50s-inspired entertainment, lawn games, nostalgic photo ops and more;

• Haunt the Block, Oct. 22;

• Chili Cookoff, Oct. 28, in which attendees will vote for their favorite chili from entrees by local restaurants and chefs and home cooks and;

• Holiday Stroll, Nov. 21.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.