Oskaloosa Hosts A Party To Help Pay For Christmas Time Fun

Young and old enjoyed the water provided by the City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Fire Department's Tower 6 during Christmas in July.

Young and old enjoyed the water provided by the City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Fire Department’s Tower 6 during Christmas in July.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Christmas in July is a relatively new event every summer in downtown Oskaloosa. The downtown party got its start to help offset and pay for the Christmas lighting that decorates the downtown buildings each year during the holiday season.

Just before noon, the square came to life as people enjoyed kids games provided by Mahaska Drug, and playing in the snow provided by Thunder Country KIIC. On the street in front of the courthouse, kids of all ages enjoyed the giant sprinkler supplied by the City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Fire Department’s new ladder truck Tower 6.

One could take a step back in time to the 1920’s courtesy of the Oskaloosa Community Theater, as they hosted a murder mystery at the Oskaloosa Art Center.

On the southeast side of the square, the first ever BBQ for Badges competition took place. Eleven teams were filling the square with the smells of handcrafted smoked meats, as they put on the finishing touches for the judges and the public.

Things calmed down for a couple of hours on the square, and the fun reloaded for the 5 o’clock hour.

Town Square Dental hosted a dunk tank on the north side of the square at 5 pm, while Small Town Superhero’s got the evening party started by filling the downtown area with music.

BBQ for Badges was a success says Kory Wright who helped to plan the event.

BBQ for Badges was a success says Kory Wright, who helped to plan the event.

The public got its opportunity to taste all that BBQ starting at 4:30 pm. A $10 wristband got you all you can eat, with the funds going to help area first responders.

NoCoast hosted a bags tournament on the north side of the square, starting at 5 pm.

A silent auction took place on the east side of the square. Many generously donated items were on the line to area bidders.

Jason Brown took to the stage shortly after 8 pm, capping off the night.

The music was sponsored by Mahaska Drug, Bank Iowa, and Certified Pest Control.

Catching up with Emily Brown, Main Street Oskaloosa Director, as the day was coming to an end, she said, “It’s been a long hot day, but we had a lot of people come out. We had tons of families come out this morning enjoying the games and the activities that were going on.”

“It’s been a good day,” said Brown who was happy with the day’s attendance.”We know that the event is a success when we know that the community enjoys it and embraces it and that’s absolutely been the case with Christmas in July since the very beginning.”

Jason Brown took the stage at just after 8pm on Saturday night during Christmas in July.

Jason Brown took the stage at just after 8pm on Saturday night during Christmas in July.

Emily Brown thanked all the businesses and the volunteers that “absolutely make it possible” to host events like Christmas in July. “We couldn’t do it by ourselves.”

Kory Wright, one of those behind BBQ for Badges, and also a participant, said that the BBQ contest is already planned to take place again next year. “Success,” is how Wright described the day.

“Next year will happen,” said Wright of next years BBQ contest. Wright hopes to fill up two city blocks next year with contestants.

“We sold out of food in 40 minutes. 400 people in 40 minutes,” Wright said of the community response to the BBQ challenge.

Wright said upwards of $4000 was raised to help provide funding to area first responders.

Oskaloosa will reload the fun at Sweet Corn Serenade on Thursday, August 26th. Marshall County Hangmen will once again provide the musical entertainment, sponsored by Bank Iowa.

Posted by on Jul 15 2018. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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