Charles City is ready for Chickfest

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

April is here and that means it’s once again time for Chickfest in Charles City.

Set for Saturday, April 5, the downtown shopping event has been a longtime tradition, drawing in women from far and wide to browse Main Street’s shops.

A notable aspect of this year’s Chickfest is that the event is under new management as Tami Vetter, who has traditionally spearheaded organization of the event, has passed the reins to other downtown business owners.

“Obviously with Tami retiring we had big shoes to fill,” said Darci Tracey of Prologue Books and Wine. “We’re just trying to continue the great event that she started.”

Tracey has been coordinating with Lori Otto of Otto’s Oasis along with Tiffany Rottinghaus and Ashley Fagerland of Cardigan to organize this year’s spring shopping event.

Along with new organizers, this year will see a number of other changes for Chickfest, starting with a new location for the early morning lineup at First Citizens National Bank.

“First Citizens is very accessible and it’s right on Main Street,” said Tracey.

Starting at 9 a.m., the first 100 shoppers in line outside the bank will get an official Chickfest tote bag, provided by Otto’s Oasis and filled with coupons and goodies to use at participating stores across town.

“I think people are really excited about those,” said Fagerland.

With 20 businesses participating this year, the event includes a wide variety of local shops, with many offering special deals, free samples and giveaways.

“It sounds like pretty much every store is doing something special,” said Fagerland

Many will also be serving snacks and drinks to customers who spend the day moving from shop to shop.

New downtown shops taking part in Chickfest this year include North Iowa Coins and Dean Treats, each offering samples of silver and ice cream, respectively.

Spreading out beyond downtown, shoppers will find deals and specials from businesses in the greater Charles City area. While Otto’s Oasis has been a regular participant, Ace Hardware, The Furniture Barn and Sew That are also taking part in the event.

Along with brick-and-mortar stores, a vendor show will also be set up at the Knights of Columbus building.

“I’m excited that there’s new participants,” said Rottinghaus. “It’s starting to spread out beyond Main Street. I think that gets people to realize all the resources Charles City has.”