Kids’ Art Contest Underway for Marshalltown RAGBRAI

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

RAGBRAI Marshalltown Art Contest Flyer

Calling all artists! The Marshalltown RAGBRAI Committee is sponsoring an art contest for kids in grades kindergarten through 5th. All artwork should be 11”x14” in size and should follow the theme “Marshalltown, You Are My Friend.” Mediums of all types will be accepted from paint to colored pencil to sculpture. All works of art should be original and must include “Marshalltown.” Cash prizes of $25 for first place, $15 for second place, and $10 for third place will be awarded. Additionally, the winning entry will be sent to the Des Moines Register to compete against winning artwork from the other overnight RAGBRAI towns. The Register’s contest will be judged by online readers and will have a top prize of $350.

The deadline for submitting artwork for the local contest is June 1, 2012. All entrants should label the back of the artwork with the student’s name, age, school attended, grade completed in the 2011-12 school year, parents’ name, and contact number. Artwork should be submitted to the Central Iowa Art Association, 709 S. Center Street, Marshalltown. For additional information, please contact contest coordinator Janet Busch at (641) 753-9013.

Little River Band to Headline

Posted on April 10, 2012 by admin

By ANDREW POTTER – Staff Writer (apotter@timesrepublican.com) , Times-Republican

Little River Band will take the stage as the headlining act for the overnight RAGBRAI stop in Marshalltown July 25.

The rock band was behind hits such as “It’s a Long Way There,” “Reminiscing” and “Lonesome Loser” in the 1970s and 80s. It still has a big following on the road, as was the case during last weekend’s sold out show at the Meskwaki Casino.

“They have a significant number of hit songs,” said Mark Rohde, entertainment committee chair for the Marshalltown RAGBRAI stop. “The quality of the live music is still there.”

Rohde said the band, which was formed in Australia in the 1970s, stays busy on the road and he has been able to see them live a couple of times in recent years.

“They are a 70s band that can still play music like they did back then,” he said.

Little River Band is expected to hit the stage at 9 p.m. for the free show on the Marshall County Courthouse lawn July 25. Rohde said they are expecting to book plenty of local bands to play from 2 to 10 p.m. leading up to the headlining act and the whole day of entertainment will be free to the public.

“We want to book the best local talent that we can,” Rohde said. “We’ll be picking and choosing them over the next couple of weeks.”

Andy Rhodes did the production work for the recent Little River Band Meskwaki show and will do the same July 25. The Le Grand resident is also a fan of the band.

“They have great harmony and good songs and play a lot of their hits,” Rhodes said.

The band also has a Marshalltown connection as former resident Ryan Ricks has recently been hired as a drummer and has played four shows on the current tour.

“That’s kind of a neat connection,” Rhodes said.

For more information see their website http://littleriverband.com/

WELCOME TO MARSHALLTOWN!!

Posted on April 1, 2012 by admin

It is my great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to our fine city. We are happy to have you share our outstanding amenities and hope that your stay here will be rewarding and lots of fun. We intend to make this stop the best on your trip across Iowa.

Marshalltown is a vibrant city with fine parks and recreation opportunities. We have miles of trails that can take you to the GrimesFarm Conservation Center and where there is a beautiful display of Iowa flora and fauna in 160 acres of prairies, timber, wetland prairie potholes and conservation farming. That is, of course, if you aren’t tired of riding a bicycle yet.

You may also enjoy the facilities of our Community Y and will certainly want to visit the world famous Big Treehouse located at 2370 Shady Oaks Road. It is a 12-level, six story structure, which is a magnet for young and old alike. Marshalltown is also the location of the beautiful Iowa Veterans Home, the grounds and facilities of which have recently undergone major renovation.

Marshalltown also has a fine art gallery at the Fisher Community Center. It houses an outstanding collection of original Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and a ceramic collection that is one of the most extensive in the nation.

We also hope you’ll find time to visit our historic Main Street and take time to enjoy our beautiful Courthouse and square. In case you’re hungry, we will do our best to make a wide variety of food available for you. Our restaurants are outstanding too.

We will make every effort to provide the finest camping opportunities possible.

On behalf of the City of Marshalltown, it is my pleasure to give you this initial welcome. I hope you will have a great overnight on your RAGBRAI experience. If there is anything else we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Gene L. Beach
Mayor
City of Marshalltown, Iowa