T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Old Timer Tavern Owner Rod Bailey holds a photo of his late father Roger working at the old 13th Street Inn at 229 N. 13th St. Roger worked there for 37 years and owned if for 17. The building now houses The Flying Elbow, the popular pro-wrestling themed restaurant that won the Iowa’s Best Burger Contest in 2022.

Marshalltown’s third annual “Red, White and Blue” celebration is slated to kick off on Thursday evening with the Get Fired Up for Freedom Classic Car Cruise Through beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the 13th Street District. The event is sponsored by the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce and the Old Timer Tavern, and OT Owner Rod Bailey is especially proud to be a part of it given his family’s deep connection to the historic area of town near the Iowa Veterans Home.

Though his business is famously located underneath the Center Street Viaduct, Bailey’s late parents, Roger and Verlee, were the longtime owners of the 13th Street Inn in the same building that now houses another iconic Marshalltown eatery, The Flying Elbow.

In all, Roger worked at the 13th Street Inn — a classic American diner that closed for good in 2016 — for a grand total of 37 years and owned it for 17.

“Beef, pork or ham every day, and 21 shrimp was a big deal. Still, to this day, the best hot beef sandwich you’ve ever had in your life. They made gravy fresh every day. One of the old veterans would be in the backroom, and he’d peel 100 pounds of potatoes every day,” Rod said. “There’s countless memories.”

While he has owned and operated the OT since 1999, Bailey, who grew up in Melbourne and graduated from West Marshall High School in 1970, still feels a deep sentimental connection to the 13th Street District, noting that he spent about half of his childhood there. And although it’s decidedly different from the restaurant his parents ran, he said he absolutely loves what Flying Elbow Owner Garrett Goodman has done with the place, gaining statewide acclaim after winning Iowa’s Best Burger in 2022.

“I don’t know Garrett well, but he’s done a hell of a job here,” Bailey said.

He added that he loves the way the entire area has transformed, from the renovation of Franklin Field to the revitalization of Valor Field on the IVH campus and the games that are played there on the Fourth.

13th Street District Board President Heidi Draisey explained that the format for this year’s cruise is a bit different — it’s a cruise through, not a cruise in. After setting up from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the route will travel up through Iowa Veterans Home grounds from the park and then down into the 13th Street District, dispersing at the corner of West Main Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

All veterans will receive a special shout out during the cruise, Draisey said.