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Haunt the Block returns to downtown area Thursday

T-R FILE PHOTOS — The Staging 2 Sell It Staff went all out and dressed as Frankenstein characters for Haunt the Block last year. The event returns to downtown Marshalltown on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

With Halloween a week away, downtown Marshalltown is getting into the spooky spirit. Back for the third year running is the Marshalltown Central Business District’s Haunt the Block, which will go from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. October 26. More than 50 businesses and organizations will participate — almost double that of the first year’s involvement.

“It’s a thank you to the community for supporting our downtown businesses — to see people face to face. It also creates place attachment — memories,” said MCBD Executive Director Deb Millizer. “Alushia Fitzgerald of Staging 2 Sell It came up with the idea. We wanted to host a family-friendly event that would fall in between Bee Ridiculous Day and the Holiday Stroll.”

Children of all ages and their families are welcome to dress in costume and visit places on the map to receive candy, popcorn, prizes and more.

“We always have more people participate than who confirm with us,” Millizer noted.

These entities either hand out goodies on the sidewalk or invite people inside their storefronts.

Willow and Renee Ficken posed for a picture during Haunt the Block last October, and Willow got in touch with her vampire side. The event returns to downtown Marshalltown on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“The downtown businesses keep raising the bar, decorating their windows, and getting into costumes. We had a haunted house last year. It snowballs,” she said.

Millizer added that she’s encouraged businesses to hand out coupons and promotional materials in addition to treats. When you meet an owner of a store or restaurant and get that face-to-face interaction, you may be more likely to seek out their goods or services in the future.

“There will probably be 1,300 people at this, so it’s a great opportunity for them to promote their businesses,” she said. “It’s about building relationships.”

Local first responders will also be on hand to greet kids and hand out goodies in front of the Marshall County Courthouse.

“One of my favorite costumes is from the first year. There was a little girl who wore a flamingo costume, and her mom let me take a picture of her standing on one leg. I love that picture, and I love that memory,” Millizer said. “We’re trying to create an event that increases quality of life. You get to dress up and who doesn’t like candy?”

To view the map, visit: www.marshalltownmainstreet.org and its Facebook page.

The MCBD is also gearing up for its Treasures Tour on Sunday. It will kick off at 1 p.m. at the Orpheum and allow attendees behind the scenes access into historic buildings including: Odd Fellows Theater, Five Star Real Estate Group/The Outlet, Simm’s/Gildner Building, Hopkins and Willards Building, La Michoacana Coffee and Ice Cream and Nied’s Pharmacy. The event was last held in 2018.

“In 2019, we had the Restorations Tour, just as I was coming on board. But the downtown is looking so much better, and we’re working on the downtown revitalization grant,” she said.

People will learn more about the MCBD’s market analysis and its three to five year vision for the future. Some of the properties on the tour are available for development.

“We’re just on the cusp of a lot of really exciting things, and I think it’s time for the community to move out of apathetic mode and become excited about what is going on in the downtown,” she said.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students and available online, by calling 641-844-2001 or stopping by its office at 34 W. Main St.

Starting at $4.38/week.

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