Friday, December 6th, 2019 marks the ninth anniversary of the Spirit of Downtown Iola Annual Christmas Block Party, which runs from 4:00PM to 7:30PM (https://www.facebook.com/events/2466964940215605/). The celebration will coincide with restaurant specials across the city, and be followed by a special concert performance at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
We recommend that attendees first pick up a punch-card and then visit every participating business in order to be eligible to win the biggest prizes. However, individual shops will be giving away smaller prizes in-house. Over twenty locations and service-providers participated in last year’s event, so come early! (A punch-card can be obtained at any participating business.)
Several spots will serve refreshments such as hot cider, and street vendors and food trucks of all kinds will be present such as the “Little Nut Hut,” as well as Russell Stover Chocolates, who will have chocolates and other candies available for purchase in the Thrive Allen County lobby.
Some of the many activities taking place during the block-party include: horse and carriage rides, trips on Santa’s train, and roving Christmas carolers.
The Bowlus concert following the downtown event will feature hit group “M-Pact,” an all-male a capella choir the San Francisco Chronicle calls “one of the best jazz/pop vocal ensembles in the world!” Their “White Christmas” spectacular will take caroling to the next level, and costs only $17 for an adult ticket (or $12 per student ticket), so make sure to come out for the Bowlus’ first-ever Christmas show.
According to Kelly Sigg, who operates the Audacious Boutique and has helped organize Downtown Iola for years, the celebration “started as a customer appreciation event, and included just one little block,” so let’s continue to keep the Spirit of Christmas growing here in Allen County!
