Downtown Iowa City kicks off holiday celebration

IOWA CITY - To help draw shoppers downtown over the holidays - and support locally owned businesses - the Iowa City Downtown District over the weekend kicked off a series of events that feature a horse-drawn trolley, pictures with Santa and elves on the loose.

The celebration, called ‘Tis the Season, drew dozens of families to the Ped Mall at the kickoff, which also was Small Business Saturday. The celebration continues until Dec. 24.

‘Tis the Season is in its third year, said Betsy Potter, director of operations for the district.

'Over the period of time, we realized how hard it was to just have one day for all these activities,” Potter said. 'Instead of doing one big event, we decided to spread it out and make it a holiday season.”

Some examples:

l Free horse-drawn trolley rides take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday until Dec. 17. Potter cautions that only about 250 can get a ride each Saturday, so space fills up fast.

l Free photos with Santa Claus are from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday until Dec. 17 at FilmScence, 118 E. College St. Potter said she expects about 400 kids each Saturday.

l More than a dozen of Santa's helpers are part of a kid-friendly scavenger hunt taking place until Dec. 24. Elves have been hidden in various businesses downtown, just waiting to be found. Kids who find an elf receive a card at each business. Participants can claim a prize at the Children's Room in the Iowa City Public Library, the Englert Theatre or Iowa Book and be entered to win a gift basket.

Nicholas Davis, 10, and Nathan Davis, 12, are Iowa City brothers who participated Saturday morning in the Hunt for The Elves with their mother, Gina Davis, 35.

Nicholas and Nathan said they wanted to participate because the event sounded like fun.

'I read about it on the Iowa City Downtown District website,” Gina Davis said. 'It's a good way to get to know the businesses downtown.”

The Davis brothers spotted 'Buddy,” an elf hidden among caramel apples in the Aspen Leaf Frozen Yogurt featuring Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

'I love the look on the kids' face when they find the elf,” said owner Saf Ibrik. 'I try to make it easy for the kids” to find the elf.

The weekend also marked Small Business Saturday, which Potter said the Iowa City Downtown District uses to kick off the celebration.

Small Business Saturday is a way of encouraging consumers to shop at small, locally-owned businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Glassando, a handcrafted jewelry seller that has been in the Old Capitol Town Center for 11 years, has participated in the event for the last five or so years, said owner Abby Restko.

She said Small Business Saturday is one of the busiest days for Glassando and is a great kickoff for the Christmas shopping season.

'I think it's a great idea to drive traffic to small businesses,” Restko said. 'I think small businesses provide a sense of place and community.”

Several downtown businesses, like Glassando, also gave part of Saturday's proceeds to a cause of their choice. Restko said the store was donating 10 percent of its proceeds to the Englert.

The monthlong celebration continues with other events throughout December, including a Holiday Retail Open House on Dec. 3; a Downtown Holiday Market on Dec. 10 and a Holiday Gingerbread House Competition on Dec. 11.

For more details, visit downtowniowacity.com.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com