March 29, 2024

A jolly good time

“It was a resounding yes, we should do it again,” Jill Hoakison of Elevate Uptown said. “We had great response from last year. Not only from the community really enjoying the event, supporting the event, but also the retailers, the merchants uptown too.”

The second annual Merry Marketplace event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday uptown following Thursday’s tree-lighting ceremony at the Creston Restored Depot.

The event is put on by the Elevate Uptown committee who also organize Market on Maple and Farm to Fork.

Thirteen uptown retailers will be hosting vendor booths so patrons can shop without the burden of Iowa’s December weather.

“The great shopping is back. We have a nice variety of makers, boutique owners. We have more of them this year,” Hoakison said. “Thank you to the uptown merchants because they are opening their doors for these merchants.”

They couldn’t have the event without the fan-favorite carriage rides, so those will be back this year.

KSIB will be playing Christmas music for the event to enhance the atmosphere. “It feels more jolly when you have tunes as you walk up and down the street,” Hoakison said.

There will be additional kids activities this year, including a snow globe hunt through the different merchants across uptown. Shopping and activities can be found on Adams, Elm, Maple and Pine streets.

At 107, 108, 110 and 124 N. Maple St., patrons can view the “what could be” tour where windows are decorated to display what buildings uptown could look like if elevated.

“The whole basis of the what could be tour is what would it look like for Creston if we had uptown revitalization?” Hoakison said. “I just think that these elevated experiences, Market on Maple, Farm to Fork, Merry Marketplace, having people come and support these experiences is huge. We have a really great group putting this together.”

Hoakison said the group is invested in the betterment of community, and this event is a way to enhance the great atmosphere.

“We want this to help people create their own traditions and memories,” she said. “Truly just make it a day in uptown Creston.”

Correction: Tuesday’s edition of the CNA stated fireworks would be displayed after the parade. There will not be fireworks.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.