Oktemberfest returns to downtown Marshalltown this weekend
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Now a year removed from the controversy surrounding last year's event as an outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease affected the city, the organizers behind Oktemberfest are excited to bring Marshalltown's famous family-friendly festival back to the downtown area for its 40th edition this weekend and restore a sense of normalcy with some new wrinkles and revived traditions.
Oktemberfest Board President Elisabeth Curtis and Parade Coordinator Rachel Norton spoke to the T-R on Monday about what to expect for the upcoming celebration, which begins on Thursday and runs all the way through Sunday.
"I believe this year is gonna be better. We are back on Main Street, which is phenomenal. The road was closed (last year), so I believe that's just gonna draw a lot of people out, being on Main, not having to switch around all the time, getting a little more back to that traditional Oktemberfest that we remember over the last 40 years," Norton said.
Curtis, the owner of Happily Ever Crafted – In Stitches, is in her first year as the board president.
"I love when it's right outside my shop. Personally, I love the smell of the cinnamon and the carnival and stuff like that, so I'm excited for this weekend," she said.
A new feature at this year's Oktemberfest is a five-mile trolley ride around the community with a recorded narration produced in partnership with the Historical Society of Marshall County -- one running from 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday and two more on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Rides are expected to take about 45 minutes, and preregistration is recommended at the following link: https://oktemberfest-inc.square.site/.
Healthy activities are also a focus this year as the family color run will begin on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m., and a 5k run will return on Saturday morning beginning at 7 a.m. with a route taking runners from Main Street to 9th Street to Summit, back down 13th Street, around Franklin Field and back onto Main. A pancake breakfast on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn will be hosted by the Sons of the American Legion beginning at 7 a.m.
The ever-popular parade will be back on Main Street this year beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday morning (barring lightning in the area) with Marshall County Veterans Affairs Director Kevin Huseboe serving as grand marshal and, in a posthumous tribute, the late SSG William Nathaniel "Nate" Howard being recognized as the honorary grand marshal. Howard, a lifelong Marshalltonian and MHS graduate, was killed in a terrorist attack in Syria while serving with the Iowa National Guard last December.
"As someone who knew (Howard) personally, it hit hard for the community and for the family. I think it will be great (to honor him)," Norton said.
Featured live musicians this year are Taylor Bear on Thursday evening, The Hype on Friday night and the Marshalltown staple classic rock cover band Exit 185 wrapping it up on Saturday night from 7 to 10 p.m. on the main stage. Additionally, The Mary Runyan Band, the Basement Band, REZ and the Community Band will all play during the day on Saturday.
Other special events include the Little Miss and Mr. crowning on Thursday evening as part of the larger Kids Night, the Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show and an Art Walk on Friday night, the cornhole tournament on Saturday and a community worship service on Sunday followed by more live music from the MHS Mariachi Band, Grupo de Baile Folklorico and the Harmony Sisters. And of course, the carnival will be set up throughout the festival.
Although they're ready for the festival and hopeful the weather will cooperate, both Norton and Curtis stressed the importance of volunteers to keep Oktemberfest strong in the future along with businesses willing to sponsor it.
"We're excited. Rain or shine, we're gonna be here," Curtis said.
To learn more about Oktemberfest, visit https://www.oktemberfest.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/Oktemberfest.
Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 751-6325 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.