The first Iowa City Downtown Block Party will make its début on Saturday. The new event is being put on by the Downtown District, and officials expect an estimated 15,000-plus to attend.
“[The Block Party] grew out of the need that focuses on our economy downtown,” said Betsy Potter, the director of operations for the Downtown District. “This event will not bring in outside beer vendors or anything like that, like many events do. This event will focus on our bars and restaurants at the event.”
This isn’t the first time that the Downtown District worked to put the area first. It has created countless events for Iowa City, including fundraisers such as the one last year that raised more than $10,000 for United Way, Brewfest, and a holiday gingerbread-house-building competition, just to name a few.
“Our whole mission and goal as the Downtown District is to support our businesses and our property owners in downtown and on the North Side,” Potter said. “Everything we do supports that. This event target is to support the nighttime businesses, bars and restaurants through bringing down a mass number of people in a really adult-friendly atmosphere and a family-friendly atmosphere in a way that Iowa City hasn’t done before.”
The Downtown Block Party is one of the first events that will be a part of the nighttime initiative. The Downtown District created the initiative in April, taking inspiration from Amsterdam’s idea to have a nighttime mayor. Having a nighttime mayor has given more focus on the nightlife of Iowa City, which used to be a large problem. Now, Nighttime Mayor Angela Winnike will bring in more support for the nighttime businesses.
“It’s a festive atmosphere where things are happening on the street and sidewalks,” Potter said. “There are not going to be vendors out there, there are going to be activities, programming, art elements, and music.”
Even the Block Party setup has been made to support the downtown businesses taking up seven blocks, in which people can wander to different events and go into one of the many businesses. The only segment that won’t make money is parking; downtown ramps will be free from Saturday to 10:30 a.m. June 25. That will allow people plenty of time to sleep in after a late night of taking advantage of the open-container policy that will be in effect.
There are a lot of fun events that should be sure to keep people busy, including a old-school video-game tournament in the Public Library, a inflatable art instillation at Public Space One, a sand volleyball court in the middle of Dubuque Street, and many more.
