Updating the Allegan City Council on downtown events, mayor pro-tem and former Jaycee Stacie Stotmeister said 200 to 300 people had circulated through Oktoberfest before rain dampened the festival on Saturday, Oct. 7.
“The band Somebody’s Friends played through the rain for an awesome time despite the weather,” Stotmeister said. “I thank everyone for coming out and supporting the Jaycees.”
Promotions director Parker Johnson said Ladies Night Out on Friday, Oct. 6, drew 125 women downtown who spent $8,000 between 5 and 8 p.m.
Coming up on Friday, Oct. 13, a portion of Locust Street will be closed to traffic for Sassy Olive’s “Sassy Gets Spooky” Halloween headband collection release party from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $2 in advance or $3 at the gate. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Allegan Education Foundation.
The evening includes beverages, snacks, a deejay, dancing, a costume contest, trick-or-treating, giveaways and more.’
For the downtown businesses’ birthday celebration, 1,500 attended the event and police had to make an emergency shutdown of the street for pedestrian safety. This year, the police are being proactive and shutting down the street in advance. Sidewalks will be open to the public.
“It’s good to have this kind of energy in downtown,” city manager Joel Dye said.
A film crew has received permission to shut down a portion of Trowbridge Street, from Walnut to Water streets and Locust Street for filming on Oct. 22, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Snow Monster Studios of Grand Rapids is filming a feature monster movie.
Also still to come this year, the Locust Street Market continues through the end of October; Nov. 3 is the Chili Cook-Off; Dec. 2 is the Ugly Sweater 5K; and Festive Fridays are each Friday in December. Dec. 1 will include the annual Christmas parade. Dec. 8 will feature Art Hop. Dec. 15 is the Stocking Hop, and Dec. 22 will be the “Home For the Holidays” pub crawl.
New this year at Riverfront Plaza will be a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to midnight, which will include a ball drop from the Zip Line, a live deejay and a hot cocoa bar.
Also new this year, downtown Allegan will have a piano placed outdoors for public use. The location is yet to be determined; however, the riverfront stage was suggested—for some cover from the elements—or along Locust Street.
Lou Thierwechter approached the council Monday, Oct. 9, asking if they would be interested in receiving a free piano for public use.
“Then mother nature could do her in,” Thierwechter said. “It could be a catalyst for someone else to donate since it won’t last long outside but it could be a learning tool for young children.”
City manager Joel Dye said it is a common practice in cities around the world to decorate a piano and put it outside for the public to play. An example was shown from Paris with colorful contact paper or bright paint was also suggested.
Council member Nancy Ingalsbee said she liked the decorated piano idea.
“This was done at ArtPrize and it looked like people were having a lot of fun with it,” she said.
The council instructed the promotions director to decide where to place it and how it would be decorated.
Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.
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