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Just three days after RAGBRAI riders arrive, the annual Ridiculous Day will be held downtown.

Even though the bicyclists will already be departed, Marshalltown residents will get the opportunity to engage in the event.

Marshalltown Central Business District (MCBD) Board President and Promotions Co-Chair Alushia Fitzgerald said the Saturday event brings downtown retailers, restaurants, community organizations, entertainers and businesses for some shopping, activities and community fun. There will be giveaways, live music, food, activities, sidewalk sales and one-day deals.

“It was originally an event that was started I do believe in the 1950s or 1960s and we resurrected the event in 2021, turning it more into a block party event,” she said.

The focus of Ridiculous Day is to celebrate the downtown and encourage residents and visitors to shop while enjoying an event. With the ongoing Main Street construction, Fitzgerald said Ridiculous Day has been adapted to make the best use of the available space while leaving as much of Main open for business.

“With the Downtown Event Plaza now completed, we are utilizing that area and the streets around it,” she said.

The plaza will feature performances by Trevor Parrish from 10 a.m. to noon and the So Hard Band from noon to 2 p.m. DJ CzechMix Entertainment will be in the kids activity block from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For the event, some downtown streets will be closed, specifically Main Street between First and Center; Center Street between Church and Main and; First Street between Church and Main. Fitzgerald said they will also utilize the green space on the corner of Center and Main.

This year, roughly 15 businesses will participate with sidewalk sales, promotions, giveaways and more. That does not mean non-participating businesses will be closed.

“Many businesses will be welcoming shoppers even if they aren’t offering a published special,” she said. “We encourage people to stroll the entire downtown district, pop into every shop and show all of our amazing local businesses some love.”

Ridiculous Day businesses include Big Acai, Brown’s Shoe Fit Marshalltown, Grounded Coffee, Lucie’s Bar, McGregor’s Furniture & Mattress, Ocean City Chinese Restaurant, Oliver Beene Designs, Real Deals, Sawdust & Flames, Smokin’ G. BBQ, State Street Trading Company, Stepping Stones & Eagle’s Nest Christian Bookstore, Sub City, Tannin and Zamora Fresh Market.

Fitzgerald said several community organizations, first responders, food vendors and local entertainers will also participate. Those include the Marshalltown Fire Department, Marshalltown Police Department K-9 Unit, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall County Emergency Management, Marshall County Communications, CERT and the Elks Club’s Firehouse.

A community event with an anticipated presence of 700 to 1,200 people, and with so many pieces requires dedication and commitment. Fitzgerald said the planning committee and MCBD Executive Director Danielle Lekin started planning in May.

“Downtown has experienced a lot of change this year with the Main Street reconstruction, but our businesses have remained resilient and continue finding ways to welcome customers,” she said. “With RAGBRAI bringing thousands of visitors to Marshalltown just a few days before Ridiculous Day, it’s even more important for our community to come back downtown that Saturday and support the local businesses that make our downtown unique. Every purchase, every meal and every visit helps our small businesses continue to thrive. We hope everyone will come out to enjoy the activities, discover great deals and show their support for downtown Marshalltown.”

EVENT INFO

Name: Ridiculous Day

Location: Downtown

Date: Saturday

Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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