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Main Street Mt. Pleasant introduces new events
Main Street Mt. Pleasant adds new events to encourage community and support local businesses in light of the election year slump.
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MT. PLEASANT — Main Street Mt. Pleasant kicked off the first of many new events for the rest of year as they added an adult Trick-or-Treat the week before Witch Way to Main.
Broomsticks and Brews signaled for all things spooky, fun, and creative to make their way to Downtown Mt. Pleasant Friday, Oct. 11 for the first annual adult Trick-or-Treat around the square. Those attending received a cup for their brews and a witch’s hat which they decorated at participating businesses throughout the evening.
Participants enjoyed photo booths at various stores, Halloween decor, sales, drinks, and snacks as they enjoyed a night out.
While participants attended in a variety of costumes and outfits, Main Street Mt. Pleasant Executive Director Lisa Oetken says she heard many say they look forward to dressing up next year. Becki Boyer took an almost subtle approach to dressing up for Broomsticks and Brews, but still managed to walk away with a prize for best costume.
Oetken says she appreciated all the little details of Boyer’s outfit including a bat comb in her hair, a Ouija Board wristlet, and a crossbody purse in the shape of a coffin with skeletons on it. Thanks to her creative accessorizing, Boyer earned four tickets to the House of Terrors and Midwest Haunted Rails.
According to Oetken, the idea came from Main Street businesses and seeing similar events around the country and close-by.
“We see Broomsticks and Brews across different states,” Oetken said. “They are doing these broomsticks and brews, and lot of them have it where they'll raise money for a charity. And some of them that have been established for quite a few years are being able to give quite a bit of money to charities. So, I know Burlington did one, and I think they had over 500 people at theirs. We see ours only growing. So, we were tickled pink that we had over 100 people on our first year.”
As successful as the first year of Broomsticks and Brews was, nothing compares to the consistent crowd Oetken sees at Witch Way to Main on years with good weather.
Witch Way to Main, which filled downtown with 1,200-15,00 kids on Thursday. Oct. 24, included lots of trick-or-treating around downtown, games in the park, a Thriller dance performance, and bounce houses.
Other tried and true Main Street events will return this holiday season. Some of these include Jingle, Jingle Open House on Nov. 9, and the wine walk on Friday, Nov. 8; Pink Friday on Nov. 22; Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, and Holiday on Main Dec. 5.
New events like the Festival of Trees will pop up this season, as well. For the Festival of Trees, Main Street is asking businesses and individuals to make donations to decorate a tree at the Union Block. The trees will be available for view Nov. 22-24 from 5-9 p.m. for a $5 entry fee or $10 for a family. Those visiting the display can vote on their favorite trees as they make their way through.
Dec. 2-4 Main Street will display the decorated trees then Thursday, Dec. 5 they will hold an auction of the trees. Money earned from the Festival of Trees will go to Every Step Hospice.
While the Festival of Trees will directly benefit Every Step Hospice, Oetken also hopes that added new events like this will help the small businesses in Mt. Pleasant during the uncertainty of an election year.
“Election years are always tough for retailers, because during the election years people historically shop less,” Oetken said. “I know that our stores, they're not hurting, but they are somewhat because, you know, prices are up and people don't have as much disposable income. So, they are covering their needs, but not always there wants, and sometimes when it comes to shopping, it's a want instead of a need. So, we see people spending a little less money now,”
Oetken is hopeful that after the election and as they enter the holiday season, though, that they’ll see an uptick in spending at local businesses/
“We just want to give them as many opportunities as we can to bring them downtown,” Oetken said.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
