Watch out below: Two Rivers adds ping-pong ball dropping to Maxwell Street Day By Cindy Hodgson
Herald Times Reporter
Cindy Hodgson: 920-686-2966 or chodgson@htrnews.com
TWO RIVERS — It's going to be raining Ping-Pong balls in Two Rivers on Friday afternoon, Aug. 3.
A plane will drop the balls over Central Park at about 2 p.m., according to Allan Evanoff, promotion chairman for the Two Rivers Business Association.
More than 600 of the 2,500 balls being dropped will have writing on them promoting local businesses or offering discounts, according to Evanoff. Nearly 30 businesses purchased from five to 100 balls each.
"It's been over 20 years since it was last done," he said.
The ball drop is part of Maxwell Street Day, an annual sidewalk sale in Two Rivers organized by the Two Rivers Business Association. The name comes from the tradition years ago of holding sidewalk sales on Maxwell Street in Chicago, Evanoff said.
Previously held on a Thursday, the event has moved to Friday this year.
"We're trying it to see if that might be a more effective day," Evanoff said.
In the past, sales were offered on Thursday and that was the end of it, he said. With the event on Friday, most sales will continue on Saturday and some even on Sunday, although they may move indoors.
The change in day also will give people who work during the week and those who visit Two Rivers on the weekend a chance to take advantage of the sales, according to Evanoff.
While the hub of activity will be downtown, some stores not on Washington Street also will offer sales as part of Maxwell Street Day, he said.
In addition, Central Park downtown will be filled with displays for Community Care Day, which is held annually in conjunction with Maxwell Street Day.
About two-dozen groups involved in some type of community service, such as the police and fire departments, hospitals, and Lions and Elks clubs, will set up exhibits, according to Mike Zimmer, director of Two Rivers Main Street, the organization that holds Community Care Day.
"They spend a day showing everybody what they do," Zimmer said. It's a chance for them "to showcase their contributions to the community."
While it's the sidewalk sales that bring people downtown, "most everybody goes through the park," he said.
Some of the organizations will have vehicles on display, such as a boat and an SUV from the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department. A dunk tank will be offered by the Two Rivers Police Department.
The Two Rivers Parks and Recreation Department will offer children's activities, including games, face painting and trivia, in Central Park, according to Judy Goodchild, acting director of the department.
Food will be sold in the park but it will be on a limited basis.
"We'd like to see the people going to our restaurants," Evanoff said.
