You’re Invited: West Branch’s Summer Kickoff Weekend

It’s that time again—when the days get longer, the music gets louder, and downtown West Branch comes alive with the energy of summer. Mark your calendars and gather your friends and family for the Summer Kickoff, happening Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 in historic downtown West Branch.

This event, powered by Main Street West Branch, is our way of welcoming summer with open arms—and a whole lot of fun. We’ve got a jam-packed schedule full of exciting activities for all ages, and you won’t want to miss a moment.

Here are some of the major highlights:

• Sidewalk Sales on Main Street – Get a jumpstart on Friday and roll into Saturday with extended shopping and special offers from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. downtown. Score great deals and support local shops with two days of special savings and summer merchandise.

• The Black Rose Grand Opening- Stop in and be among the first to explore West Branch’s newest downtown business... a boozy bookstore!

• Bear Track 5K & 1-Mile Bear Attack – Join the West Branch High School Girls Track team on Saturday morning for this energizing fundraiser. Whether you run or walk, it’s a great way to support student athletics. Details here.

• Kids’ Bike Rodeo – Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Wapsi Creek Park. Hosted by the West Branch Lions Club and University of Iowa Health Care, kids enjoy helmet fittings and bike tune-ups, a fun bike course, and even a free helmet if needed!

• Walk-Up Hoover-Ball Clinic – Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Wapsi Creek Park. Try your hand at the presidential pastime. This informal clinic is open to all ages and is great preparation for Hoover’s Hometown Days tournaments.

• Sip & Stroll Boutique Crawl – Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. - check in at the tent in the Beer Garden on North Downey Street. Spend the afternoon sipping, strolling, and shopping throughout downtown West Branch. For $5, adults 21 and over can sample cocktails or mocktails at participating businesses, collect stamps in an event passport, and enter to win a grand prize!

• Community Bingo in the Beer Garden – Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the beer garden on North Downey Street. Just before the live music starts, enjoy ten rounds of lively bingo for $1 per card per round. It’s an all-ages event supporting Main Street West Branch. Note that card sales will begin at 4:00pm, no tables may be saved before that time.

• Live Music & Street Party featuring Trophy Dads – Saturday 7 - 10pm! Close out the weekend with a street concert featuring Trophy Dads, a high-energy cover band playing hits from the ’90s and 2000s. Bring your lawn chair, grab dinner from a local eatery, and enjoy drinks from Herb N Lou’s and The Down Under (no outside beverages allowed).

Also happening this weekend and beyond, Humans for Racial Justice will begin their Juneteenth programming with several special opportunities for reflection and learning. During Summer Kickoff weekend, they’ll feature historic displays and story hour activities at The Black Rose. On Sunday, June 15, the group will host a Community Chorus program, and on Wednesday, June 19, they’ll lead a Tour of Local Historic Spots on the Underground Railroad, spotlighting West Branch’s ties to this critical chapter in American history.

Events like these wouldn’t be possible without generous community support. We’re proud to recognize our Platinum Sponsors: Nordex / AccionaBrowns Family of Dealerships, Newport Industries, West Branch Animal Clinic. Thank you also to our Silver Sponsor, Alliant Energy, and our Bronze Sponsors: Fidelity Bank and Trust, Hills Bank, Marcy Willier of Urban Acres Real Estate, and West Branch Roofing.

For the full schedule and event details, visit www.mainstreetwestbranch.org/summer.

We’ll see you downtown June 13–14—let’s kick off summer together!