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Taking a phased in approach to local events

Yes, we all have pandemic fatigue and are itching to get back together again for events.

Event planners in Marshalltown are ready and waiting to put on special events again.

So when will the bulk of the events come back?

The answer remains up in the air, but rest assured local event planners are communicating and taking everything into consideration.

It’s best to realize that different people are in different spots as far as their comfort level in attending events, so event planners are adjusting and trying to make the atmosphere safer for everyone involved.

So what’s it going to be like when we can have the big festivals again? I think it will be awesome.

Remember parades? They’ve been gone for just one year, but it feels like I haven’t been to one in five years.

I will look forward to that Oktemberfest parade rolling down Main Street on Sept. 25.

One of my favorite parts of the parade is seeing people I know traipsing down the route and giving them a shout. Imagine that – seeing someone in person and not on Zoom!

The vaccine continues to be made available to more and more people each week and our best guess is that by mid to late summer we will see more events pick up in Marshalltown and our surrounding area.

We are also seeing several conferences, conventions and other gatherings being planned particularly in August and in later months in Marshalltown in 2021. These have a tremendous impact on our local economy, so seeing these come back will be a very welcome sight.

And remember, our local hiking and biking trails are a great way to get out of the house in a socially distanced way and get some exercise. I sure was happy to have these local trails over the course of this past year.

As we move forward, let’s be smart, be respectful of others who may not have the same comfort level as us, and, most of all, have some fun!

I think we deserve that, don’t you?

I hope to see you out and about in Marshalltown later this year.

——

Andrew Potter is the tourism director for the

Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce.

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