Businesses in Jasper County are Invited to Apply to Participate in the Great Iowa Road Trip

5 Apr 2023


news, rural, retail

Jasper County retail, specialty, and pop-up businesses are invited to apply for participation in the Great Iowa Road Trip through Jasper, Marion, and Mahaska Counties on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3.  

The Road Trip is designed to provide an interesting mix of retail experiences that can attract the most shoppers. Once all participating businesses are confirmed, the route will be finalized and marketed in virtual map format to the public.

This is a juried retail event. All businesses interested in participating are invited to apply. Applicants will be asked to provide product descriptions along with photos. Brick-and-mortar businesses are welcome to invite additional pop-up vendors to their locations. Each additional vendor hosted by a brick-and-mortar location must submit a separate application and be approved for this event. Participating retailers—including pop-up businesses—must be open during all hours of this two-day event. Specialty businesses, such as restaurants, ice cream and coffee shops, hotels, attractions, and event venues, may keep their normal business hours and are not obligated to remain open all hours of the event.

Businesses included on the Great Iowa Road Trip will be marketed on the Road Trip’s Facebook event page with the business name, photos, and direct website and social media links. Businesses will also be included on a virtual map and in the event promotion by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, County Extension offices, local Chamber/ economic development organizations, and other sponsoring organizations.

The Great Iowa Road Trip application deadline is April 21, 2023. Applications will go through a jury process. Businesses will be notified by email no later than April 26 if their application is accepted. There is no cost to apply. However, accepted businesses are required to pay $50 and sign a participation contract to be included. If accepted, businesses must submit a signed contract and their $50 payment by May 3.

Potential applicants are encouraged to review participation guidelines carefully. These, along with the link to the application, are available on ISU Extension’s website.

For additional information or questions, contact Sherry Ford at Mahaska County Extension.

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