Summer is here with Market on Maple

Once a year, for a few hours on a Saturday, Maple and Montgomery streets transform into a day market. Tents and activities line the streets — a showcase of local talent from Creston and beyond. Beating the heat isn’t a problem with multiple areas to slow down in the shade. All the while, music in the square offers even more talent showcases of the younger generation.

For the fifth year in a row as a kickoff to summer, Market on Maple will return to Creston this weekend on May 10. Saturday’s five-hour event will take over the intersection a sunny start to the weekend.

Attendees should make sure they’re ready for the summer weather; temperatures forecasted for the high 70s and low 80s will be a bit hotter than previous years.

The event will officially begin at 10 a.m. with a performance of the national anthem by CHS sophomore Janea Green-Ngang, followed by the presentation of colors by Scouting BSA Pack 129.

The morning half of the event will be filled with entertainment in the intersection of Maple and Montgomery. It’s a great place to relax after getting a few steps in.

New to Market on Maple will be the shows held in Liberty Hall The building, located on the west end of Montgomery, will feature two different showcases from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Old Fashioned Snack Set Party and the Patches & Pieces Quilt Guild Quilt Show will bring some vintage history to the event.

At 11:00 a.m., the Spotlight School of Dance returns with a showcase at the center square. For those looking for more, the Emporium will hold another showcase at 12:30 p.m. This Aerial Studio Demonstration will have dancers showing skills including acro on lyra and silks.

Green-Ngang isn’t the only student from Creston High School performing. Vibrant music from the CHS vocal department and jazz ensemble will fill the streets starting at 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.

Plenty of kids activities are available for the little ones. What better place for a read-a-long than a bookstore? Starting at 10:30 a.m. at The Latest Edition bookstore, Story Time with a Hero will give kids a fun start to a full day of activities.

Also at 10:30 a.m. will be a visit from Isaac the Clown. He’ll be patrolling the streets of the market, sure to be an entertaining fellow.

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, kids can stop by the Gibson Memorial Library for a Tea Rex Party, featuring dinosaur games and activities for the little ones and tea for the fancy party lovers.

This year’s rendition of Market on Maple also brings the return of the Hero’s Village, a gathering of Creston police officers, firefighters, the Union County sheriff and other local heroes. Attendees can find the village on the south side of the event in the Iowa Focus parking lot.

After all that, there’s still more than 50 vendors and food trucks across Maple and Montgomery, offering home decor, clothing, handmade goods and other trinkets perfect for gifts to friends and family. It’s the perfect time to shop for an emergency Mother’s Day gift before Market on Maple officially ends at 3 p.m.

For visitors to Creston looking for a bite to eat, the north side of Maple Street will have plenty of options from food trucks. Classics like Reno & Woody’s and Little Green Trailer will all be providing mouthwatering meals, and those looking for something cool and refreshing can turn to Totally Rolled Ice Cream and Lemon Shake Ups.

Plenty of local restaurants will be open for the event, offering a bite to eat and a place to sit while escaping the sun. Jade Garden, Adams Street Espresso, A&G, Big Acai and Old Fashioned Bar & Grill are a short walk away from Market on Maple and will be open during the event.

Storefronts in Creston’s business heart will also be available for foot traffic during the event, opening their doors for locals. This event is a reminder of the vitality of Creston’s businesses and people.

A map and list of all available vendors is available online at the Market on Maple Facebook page, facebook.com/marketonmaplecreston.