Main Street Washington unveils ‘Big ol’ Chair’

WASHINGTON — A massive Adirondack chair appeared in Washington’s central park last week, part of an effort by Main Street Washington to spread word about the community’s weekly farmers market and other events.

“We’ve been trying to encourage people to take more pictures at our farmers market and our events downtown, just to share them on their social media page and get the word out,” Main Street Washington Director Samantha Meyer said. “But you can’t always tell where they are.”

The chair offers an easily identified backdrop, painted with the name of the town, Main Street’s logo, and the words “discover downtown.” Its placement helps too: directly in front of the recognizable fountain at the center of Washington’s square.

It also offers an activity for younger visitors in Washington’s square, who are sometimes uninterested in the various vendor booths or live music in the park.

“We’ve been also trying to encourage people to bring their kids downtown,” Meyer said. “But there’s nothing really for the kids to do, sometimes, when they get downtown. So this isn’t like, a jungle gym, but it is something fun for them.”

Meyer said the chair was built by Washington Lumber, after the municipal parks department signed off on the 500-pound piece of furniture.

It’s now placed in the park on the west side of the fountain, where Meyer said it would remain throughout farmers market season. In the winter, it’ll be resealed each year, and stored away from the park, less exposed to the elements.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com