Mt. Pleasant revives Alive After Five

The Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce kicked off its Alive After Five series with Iowa Wesleyan University and Old Threshers on Wednesday. Many local Chamber members and businesses came together to celebrate the evening.

'We're relieved, happy, excited to be back,” Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Kristi Ray said. 'Looking back at last year when we decided to not have these events, we made the right decision. Now we're back, and with more people getting the vaccine, we're more comfortable holding these kinds of events.”

Alive After Five events had been held in the Theatre Museum in the past, but with COVID-19 social distancing protocols, Iowa Wesleyan University was more than happy to offer a big enough space for the Chamber of Commerce.

'Iowa Wesleyan has been so accommodating, providing us with this place,” Ray said. 'We're following the university's standards for COVID, and this bigger arena really allows us to spread out in the ways we need to.”

Iowa Wesleyan University Chris Plunkett shared some words on the university hosting the eventful night.

'We are honored to host Old Threshers and their inaugural presentation,” she said.

Midwest Old Threshers CEO Terry McWilliams echoed the importance of the partnership between Iowa Wesleyan and Old Threshers. Instead of reannouncing the entertainment lineup, as it is the same as last year's acts, McWilliams gave thanks to all the athletic teams and the music groups that volunteer for Old Threshers.

'All of these teams, as well as the Iowa Wesleyan jazz ensemble and the Primae Voces, these folks are the important ones,” McWilliams said. 'We've all made it, we've worked together, and we're moving forward.”

In addition to celebrating Old Threshers and Iowa Wesleyan, the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce made some exciting announcements of their own.

Despite the decline in economic development and finances seen across the country due to the pandemic, Mt. Pleasant and its Chamber of Commerce gained 25 new members in the past year, and Main Street Mt. Pleasant did not lose a single business, but gained 10 new ones.

'Never has there been a year that our small businesses have shown such resiliency,” Ray said.

Main Street Mt. Pleasant announced that more events will be taking place as well.

'We've got 27 events planned for this year, so we're moving full steam ahead,” Executive Director of Main Street Lisa Oetken said.

The next Alive After Five will take place April 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Theatre Museum. Due to COVID regulations, the event will be open to Chamber members only and masks will be required.