Gals, get ready to have some fun on Wednesday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Some Marshalltown businesses have partnered to bring Galentine’s to the town. Cheryl Hayes, the owner of Harvest to Home, thought of the event a month ago and started contacting businesses to see if there would be interest.

“I’m all about community over competition, let’s help each other because it keeps business in town and supports everybody,” she said.

The thought of incorporating downtown stores into the event had a nice ring to it.

“I thought if we can come together and do events, it will just bring more people to the community, more people shopping,” Hayes said.

The idea of giving women a fun event to participate in, hang out with one another, get some shopping and wine and the chance to win some door prizes led to 15 downtown and 13th Street District businesses signing up. Hayes said every store will host giveaway drawings. Some businesses will offer special deals, food or activities. Harvest to Home will have a book signing with author Rhonda Mumby of her books “The Sunflower Experience” and “A Journey to My Life.”

The event is something Hayes is familiar with, as her boutique in Ankeny, The Funky Zebras, also participates in a Galentine’s event.

Already, 300 people have signed up for Galentine’s and Hayes hopes the community of Marshalltown pitches in and encourages shopping local. The goal is to have 500 or more people going from shop to shop during the event.

“It’s important because us small businesses are the ones who are giving gift certificates, donating to different charities or school functions, baseball or soccer teams,” she said. “It’s important to keep your money in the community and support businesses which are already here and it’s a great way to do it.”

It’s also a chance to prove wrong the frequent argument that Marshalltown does not have a lot of shopping opportunities. In fact, Hayes said Marshalltown is beginning to boom. The work on the mall and the appearance of numerous coffee shops are a definite sign. Opening up the door to give people the chance to experience the shopping opportunities is another reason for Galentine’s.

Hayes added she wanted to thank Nina’s Attic and Hellberg’s Jewelers for helping with promotion.

“This is going to be a fun girls night out where they can go from store and store and go shopping, get drinks, have drinks and appetizers, just something for somebody to do with their friends, family or coworkers,” she said. “Everybody’s been trapped in their houses with this weather. No one has wanted to go out. So, it’s just a fun night out.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.