Third Fridays return to Williamsburg

.

WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg City Council agreed last month to close the 200 block of State Street for the Chamber of Commerce’s Third Friday on the Square event during June, July and August.

The first Third Friday event will be June 21 from 4-7 p.m.

Erin Eichhorn, Chamber director, said the theme for June’s event will be Kick off Summer. July will salute veterans and August will celebrate the dog days of summer.

Last year the Chamber had six or seven sponsors for the events. This year it had 12 as of the end of May.

The events will feature food trucks, bounce houses and live music during the weekly farmers market.

The Iowa Corn Association will bring its trailer for the June Third Friday, Eichhorn said.

Barnyard Discoveries will be on site with its farm animals in July.

Eichhorn, the Market’s Tony Curtis and Tanya Clower with South Street Cookies have been working on marketing the Farmers Market. It has a new logo that will adorn banners, flyers and cards, Eichhorn said.

Forty-six vendors have signed up, which is an increase over last year, said Eichhorn.

“We don’t charge. Not many do that.”

The Chamber Board ran a special for membership, allowing people to join the Chamber for $100, said Eichhorn. That has increased the membership.

The Chamber hosted Bingo Night at Capper, and 40 people attended. Mom’s Night Out at the Williamsburg Library drew 30 people.

The Chamber will continue it’s summer seminars and After Hours gatherings this summer.

The June After Hours event will be at Fireside Winery.

The Chamber will meet with the VFW and Auxilliary in June to consider banners honoring veterans, Eichhorn told the city council.

Tipton displays photos of its veterans on 7-by-2-foot banners. “It’s pretty impressive when you drive through town,” said Eichhorn.

Veterans would apply for the banners, which are made in Maquoketa, and pay $150 for them, Eichhorn said.