Council updated on 150th celebration logistics
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At Monday’s city council meeting, Mount Ayr Sesquicentennial Committee co-chair Korbie Rinehart provided a number of logistical updates related to the three-day celebration set for September 19-21.
Rinehart asked for the city’s assistance with closing off some streets, trash pickup, erecting bleachers, and other support duties.
City superintendent Brent Wise stated the city will provide trash pickup each day.Letters will be sent to residences and businesses describing street closures once the event map is finalized in the coming weeks.
The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office will provide extra presence all weekend.
Off-street parking will be available at several locations around town with shuttle service running all weekend to different locations.
Port-a-johns will be in use all weekend at scattered locations.
A professional stage, sound, and lighting company will erect a 28′ x 24′ roofed main stage at the northeast corner of the square facing south toward bleacher seating. Additional seating will run east of the stage along Madison Street.
The carnival will run north of the stage along Taylor Street, and carnival representatives will be in town in the coming weeks to finalize the layout.
Rinehart said both the stage set-up and carnival will require extra power sources. She said the committee had contacted Alliant Energy in that regard.
Official banners featuring local businesses and organizations will be erected along both Fillmore and Taylor streets from Highway 2 toward the square. The Chamber of Commerce is donating this year’s banner fees to the committee.
The Mount Ayr Inn has reported it has no vacancies for the sesquicentennial weekend. Other lodging options include camping at several local parks.
Rinehart emphasized this year’s sesquicentennial celebration will incorporate the traditional Ayr Days for this year only.
It is not known yet if the September dates will also correspond with the observance of homecoming in the Mount Ayr schools. That determination will come later this spring with the announcement of district football schedules from the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
Rinehart provided council members with a spreadsheet showing the tentative schedule for activities for each day of the celebration. That schedule will be publicized once all events have been finalized.
