September finds the Chamber of Commerce, busy as usual. This is due in large part to the help and assistance that the Chamber gives to the Creston/Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Committee for the upcoming 42nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Days Weekend to take place Sept. 20-22.
Weather permitting, Balloon Days kicks off with a fun flight sometime after 5:30 p.m. Friday. The balloon races will be held Sept. 21 and 22. Depending on the wind direction, many of you can step outside your door and enjoy the spectacular view of balloons soaring across Creston on these days or head up to the airport to watch them.
In addition to the balloon races, the annual parade 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Uptown Creston. You are invited to have an entry in the parade, and there is no registration. Please come to the corner of Mills and Chestnut streets by 10 a.m. Saturday to be included in the parade.
The tethered balloon rides (weather permitting) will be back. Tethered balloon rides will be available at the airport for $20.00 per person. They will last approximately 4 to 5 minutes. If possible, they will be take place around 7:15 a.m. on Saturday and again after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, weather permitting.
Flyers with a full list of activities are available at the Chamber Office or by visiting the Chamber web page at www.crestoniowachamber.com.
The Balloon Committee and the Creston High School FFA are selling the annual balloon tee shirts (white), sweatshirts (light gray) and pins. This is an excellent opportunity for you to show your support for the event, as well as market Creston all year long. You can stop by the Chamber Office located at 208 W. Taylor St. to make your purchase before the event or buy merchandise during the event from the students.
Annual Cemetery Walk
The Gibson Memorial Library will be sponsoring the Annual Cemetery Walk 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at Graceland Cemetery.
“Downtown assessment”
The City of Creston will take part in a “downtown assessment” coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Agency and contracted by the Creston City Council.
A “downtown assessment” is an intense, on-site study of the downtown, that will include information that can be used in planning efforts. The assessment will be conducted by a team of five professionals well experienced in downtown development on Sept. 24-26. The downtown assessment team invites the public to share its thoughts during a community meeting 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Creston Restored Depot.
The downtown assessment team has requested that we send out the link below to ask you to complete a short survey for them as soon as possible. Share the survey with others. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Creston_Part1
Nominations Are Needed
The Creston Chamber of Commerce and Creston News Advertiser are again seeking nominations for the 2019 Citizen of the Year; Volunteer of the Year and the Youth Award. Nominating forms will appear in the paper during the month of September or you may send a brief letter to the Chamber Office outlining why you think the individual you have nominated should be selected.
All nominations must be received at the Chamber Office no later than October 11, 2019.
Hi-Five Honor
Congratulations go out to Adams Street Espresso and Randy Mcilravy.
The Hi-Five for Service allows us to recognize those who make shopping and doing business in Creston a rewarding and positive experience.
Gold Star Business Honored
The Chamber honored, Uptown Style as the Gold Star Business in September. They were nominated by a fellow Crestonian because of its appearance of their building and property. Congratulations.
August Honor Yards of the Month
The following yards were selected as the August Honor Yards of the Month. Congratulations to 1301 North Mulberry, 401 East Prairie and 603 West Adams streets.
Thank you to Creston True Value, Creston Super Walmart and Green Valley Pest & Lawn Care for co-sponsoring the Yards of the Month with the Chamber.
Please call the Chamber to honor a business, individual, flowerpot or yard with any of the above honors for September.
Have a great month and remember, Creston – a great place to visit, work and call home.