Second 5th Street Social celebrates history, new development in Coralville

CORALVILLE — Residents in the city of Coralville have a new annual community event that honors the past and celebrates recent progress along Fifth Street.

The 5th Street Social, scheduled from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, is in its second year. City organizers and sponsors have planned three bands, lawn games, children's activities, craft beer and food trucks, among other activities.

Erica Eichhorn, recreation program supervisor, said the event is meant to be reminiscent of the 1950s through 1970s when the city shut down Fifth Street, known as Historic Route 6, for street dances. A newer version of the old celebration began last year as a way to celebrate recent development and improvements along the street.

'There's a lot of work that's gone into the area and new businesses coming in so there's the acknowledgment of all the work that's going in the Coralville community,' Eichhorn said.

Eichhorn said last year's inaugural 5th Street Social was so successful, the city decided to not only keep it going but grow the event. Blaine Thomas, a local developer and one of the sponsors of the social, estimates about 1,000 people attended last year's event and he expects this year to be even bigger.

Eichhorn said the event is free to the community.

Three musical acts are planned: Plastic Relations at 4 p.m., David Zollo and the Body Electric at 6 p.m. and Tasji Bachman at 8 p.m.

Local breweries Backpocket, Sutfliff, ReUnion and Big Grove will have beer for sale. Eichhorn said attendees can buy a beer cup for $5 and fill it up for $5.

Food companies like Mosley's and Maestro Empanadas, among others, also will be serving during the event.

Thomas, the developer behind the 808 on 5th development, which includes apartments and businesses, said he believes it's important for people to have less screen time on phones and TVs and get to know their neighbors more.

'It's really about community socialization,' Thomas said. 'I would like to see us get back to a little more grass roots when we actually engage one another.'

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