COLUMN: September Chamber happenings

September finds the Chamber of Commerce busy as usual with the help and assistance that we give to the Creston/Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Committee for the upcoming 47th Annual Hot Air Balloon Days Weekend to take place Sept. 19 through the 21.

Weather permitting and with fingers crossed, Balloon Days kicks off with the Friday Fun Flight on Friday evening sometime after 5:30 p.m. They always hope to fly over Creston – weather and wind permitting. The actual balloon races will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. 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 and enjoy.

In addition to the balloon races and activities, there will once again be the annual parade of bands, balloonists and other participants on Saturday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Uptown Creston. You are invited to have an entry in the parade. Please come to the corner of Mills and Chestnut on Sept. 20 by 10:15 a.m. to be included in the parade. Due to the construction taking place in and around Uptown Creston, the parade route is still somewhat up in the air. Please stay tuned for updates.

Creston Community Schools will again sponsor the Evaluation Field Show for marching bands held at Panther Field on the Creston Community High School campus. It will begin at 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased at the gate. For more information, please contact Creston High School.

The Creston Uptown is the site of various activities for spectators of all ages on Saturday as well. The flea market on Maple and the expanded craft fair in the west depot parking lot will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, local merchants will be open for your shopping pleasure during the day.

The tethered balloon rides (weather permitting) will be back again. Tethered balloon rides will be available at the airport for $20 per person on Saturday, both in the morning beginning at 7:15 a.m. and again in the evening at 4:30 p.m. They will last approximately four to five minutes.

On Saturday afternoon, you can head out to the airport to enjoy the pet show at 2 p.m. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. will be the pedal pull for ages 12 and younger. New this year will be Greater Regional Healthy Kids Time from 2 to 4 p.m. NightGlow, which will begin after the last flight at the airport, wraps up the Saturday activities.

A wide selection of food will be available both Uptown and at the airport for your culinary pleasures during the event.

Creston Arts will be sponsoring Chalk the Town on Friday, Sept. 19. If you would like to help or just watch, they will be chalking at the Art Center in Uptown Creston from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m

The Friends of the Library Used Book Sale will take place at their new location, 503 West Adams Street, Creston News Advertiser, on Friday and Saturday.

Event flyers listing all of the various activities are available at the Chamber Office or by visiting the Chamber web page at www.crestoniowachamber.com or by following the Chamber on Facebook, X or Instagram.

The Balloon Committee and the Creston High School FFA are selling the annual balloon T-shirts 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 for best size selection or buy merchandise during the event from the FFA.

Make your plans now to attend the 47th Annual Creston/Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days and see for yourself what Southwest Iowa has to offer.

Other September activities

Another activity taking place in Creston during September is the Annual Pork Chop Dinner sponsored by the Creston Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs on Sept. 18. It is a great way to kick off the balloon weekend. Tickets are available through any club member.

Homecoming

The Creston High School will be celebrating Homecoming the week of Sept. 21, with the parade to take place on Sept. 26.

For a complete listing of events taking place in Creston please check out the community calendar on the Chamber website home page.

Nominations are needed

The Creston Chamber of Commerce and Creston News Advertiser are again seeking nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Youth Award. Nomination 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 Oct. 7.

Image Enhancement Committee Yards of the Month

The Image Enhancement Committee would like to acknowledge and congratulate the following yards that were honored as the August Yards of the Month:

620 N. Chestnut St. – 308 N. Cedar St. – 1307 W. Adams St.

These yards join the July honorees at 1205 Clayton Road, 200 S. Park St. and 1002 N. Spruce St. along with the June honorees at 810 N. Sycamore St., 1311 N. Cherry St. and 510 S. Pine St.

Thank you to Creston Walmart Vision Center and Green Valley Pest Control & Lawn Care for co-sponsoring the Yards of the Month with the Chamber.

If you would like to nominate a yard to be considered by the committee for September and October, please contact the Chamber with the address.

Hi-Five honorees

The following individuals received the Hi-Five Honor in September. Congratulations go out to Daniel Marcus, Old Fashioned Bar & Grill and Charles Harris, Casey’s North Sumner

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 Rustic Graphic Creations, 701 West Townline, Suite C, as the Gold Star Business in September. They were nominated by a fellow Crestonian because of the appearance of their building and property. Congratulations.

One final thought for the month is that the Chamber has Creston postcards for sale at the Chamber office.

Have a great month and remember, Creston - A great place to Visit, Work and call Home.