August 2006 - Posts
Nicole
I give Downtown Getdown props for creativity when it comes to marketing. The Getdown, which involves food and free music at Marion's City Park on Thursdays in August, has a mascot. Her name is Marianne, and she's a pink flamingo. Each year, Randy Behr of Big Behr Design Co. in Marion gives Marianne a new look. Last year, she sported a bikini. This year, she wore a "skort" and jammed on a guitar. Marianne appears on T-shirts and other marketing materials. An inflatable version of Marianne hangs out on the edge of the park to let attendees know they're in the right place. She's popular with the kids, too.
Marianne fit in especially well at this week's Getdown because the Cedar Island Band treated the crowd to tropical tunes from Jimmy Buffett and other artists. It was the last Getdown this year, and fortunately the weather cooperated. Last Thursday's gig was rained out, and the week before that, a downpour paused the show for 20 minutes. This time, it was warm and sunny. People brought lawn chairs and picnic baskets, or bought summertime food like ice cream and hot dogs from the vendors. The park was packed. On average, 1,300 to 1,500 show up, said Sharlynn Page, director of member services for the Marion Chamber of Commerce. The 4-year-old music series is organized by Page, along with the Marion Business Committee, a part of the Chamber. It's sponsored by Foster's Heating and Air Conditioning, along with Mix 96.5 and WMT 600.
The crowd clearly enjoyed the nice summer night, but they were also ready for fall. The On the Street question of the week was "What are you looking forward to about fall?" Read their answers in Monday's Gazette.
I'm ready for fall, too, but I'll have to put Downtown Getdown on my calendar for next August. I can't wait to see what Marianne's wearing.
Stay tuned next week, when co-host Carly Weber checks in with racing fans at Hawkeye Downs.
Nicole
I'm used to friendliness. You come to expect it when you live in Iowa. When you go on a walk, strangers say, ``Hi.'' When you check out at the grocery store, people say, ``Thanks,'' and, ``Have a nice day.''
So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by how friendly the folks at the Fisher Rodeo were yesterday. They were grateful for the coverage, and out of the 17 people I hit up for a mugshot and a quote about their favorite rodeo event, 16 said yes. Even the bull rider with dirt on his face and two women who felt a bit ``too pregnant'' for a photo shoot obliged. I felt even more welcome when these kind people took me under their wing to teach me about rodeo events.
See, before Sunday, I'd been to only one rodeo. It was at the Cattle Congress in Waterloo when I was a youngster. Other than that, my only glimpse of rodeos was watching (OK, crying through) the movie ``8 Seconds'' and pausing on PBR events while surfing channels. So I wander through rows of horse trailers and pickups, dodging meadow muffins and think, ``Here I am, a rodeo rookie, asking people about their favorite rodeo events.''
Fortunately, most people say bull riding. I know what that is. But one girl says breakaway roping. Huh? A guy named Cody Vande Voorde says mutton bustin'. Double huh? I'm afraid of looking stupid in front of Cody and his fellow bull riders (and I'm a little worried that he's
pulling my leg with some fictitious event), but I ask him to spell it and explain what it is. He tells me it's sheep riding -- a kiddie version of bull riding.
A few minutes later, I mosey over to the fence to take in the action. Sure enough, mutton bustin' is a real thing. Little boys and girls are holding onto galloping sheep for dear life. It's about the cutest thing I've ever seen.
A little boy dressed as a clown rousts the sheep back to the gate after each ride. The boys and girls dress up in little fringed chaps and cowboy hats and boots. One boy screams through the whole ride, and one little girl employs an interesting, but effective technique. She lays with her stomach on the sheep's back, hugging it with her hands and feet.
As I stand by the fence, taking in other events (and often jumping out of the way when a bucking animal bumbles by, kicking up dust), a teenage girl strikes up a conversation. I tell her why I'm there, and she asks me if I'm new to the world of rodeo. Is it that obvious, I wonder? Maybe the fact that I'm one of the few people not wearing a cowboy hat is the giveaway. As it turns out, 16-year-old Kathy Dake lives near the rodeo, and her parents help out with it. She's been going to the rodeo for years, and she offers to tell me the point of each event, along with the rules. By the time I leave, I have a decent understanding of each event.
So thanks to Kathy for the lesson and to everyone else for being so friendly. If you want to check out the rodeo, you still have two chances this year, Sept. 3 and Sept. 24. Get more info at www.fisherrodeo.com
Check out On the Street in Monday's Gazette to find out which event Fisher Rodeo attendees like best, and tune in next week, when co-host Carly Weber will be at Downtown Getdown in Marion Square Park.
If you've been following these blogs, you know that I left the last two events wishing I'd been able to sample some of the food at both the RAGBRAI event in Coralville and Jazz Under the Stars in Cedar Rapids. Well, since sweet corn was the main event at St. Jude's Sweet Corn Festival Friday night I knew better than to go with empty pockets.
And, after asking people all about their favorite way to eat sweet corn, I was sure glad I'd stashed a few dollars in my pocket. One dollar was all it took for three piping hot, buttery cobs of sweet corn to go. One for me and two for my husband. Since he couldn't come with me to the festival, we enjoyed our corn at home later Friday night. But, as I stood in the kitchen trying to keep the butter from running down my chin, I couldn't help but wish I were sampling my corn at the festival.
Don't get me wrong. The corn was still hot after a 20 minute drive home and tasted delcious. But, I think there's something about eating sweet corn at the festival that makes it taste all that much better. Like hot dogs at a ball park, pop corn at the movies or funnel cake at the fair. Sure, you can eat these things other places, but does it taste the same?
I think I'll have to go back to the festival to find out. Saturday night, plan was to go again. This time my whole family and some friends would come with. Because, a festival is really something you need to enjoy with friend and family. And, you can always eat more sweet corn.
I should have learned my lesson last week at RAGBRAI in Coralville. From now on, I'm bringing cash to any event where there's bound to be yummy food. For the second week in a row, I left an assignment tummy grumbling and envious of all the folks I saw noshing. To make matters worse, I was at Jazz Under the Stars on Thursday asking people what food went best with blues in the park. So, it was impossible to get food off my mind as I chatted with people munching on pizza and sub sandwiches and drinking cool beers or glasses of wine.
Thursday night's crowd was a mixture of all generations, young families, couples, adult children and their parents. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the company and the music. The first of four free concerts that KCCK 88.3 puts on every August featured blues musician Bryce Janey. He and the band pumped Noelridge Park full of groove-worthy music that reached even those camped out in the far back
I was impressed by the number of people to went all out and brought picnic baskets or wine backpacks. One group even packed along a portable table, made for event such as this, that stood only a foot or so off the ground and was perfect for sitting on the ground or in a campchair. Another group was grilling out on a mini-gas grill. Now, that's what I call a picnic in the park.
I don't know if we'll go all out, but my husband and I will be back to catch another concert before August is over. And, this time I'll be sure to bring food.
Next week, it's more food-centered fun at St. Judes Sweet Corn Festival, where I'll be asking festival-goers how they like to eat their corn on the cob. See you there!