ROCK ISLAND - The Broadway Historic District will mark its 25th anniversary with a free, public celebration on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on 22nd Street in Rock Island between 7th and 9th Avenues.
"It's a chance to celebrate the great success the neighborhood has achieved," said Barb Braun, Broadway Historic District president and planning committee chair. Braun has lived in the Broadway neighborhood for 18 years.
"This event will appeal to all ages. We'll have a variety of activities, plus food and drink and entertainment. History buffs will enjoy the guided walking tour of 22nd Street and the antique cars and tractors on display," Braun said.
Kids' activities will include face painting, boomerang demonstrations, rocket launching, kaleidoscopes, the opportunity to meet a Rock Island police officer, and being able to see adoptable pets from QC Paws.
Four musical groups will entertain attendees: Rose n' Thorns, Lynne Hart Jazz Quartet, Pam and Will Trotter Folk Duo, and The Treble with Men Barbershop Quartet.
About 20 local artists and artisans will display and sell their works at the event. Gendler's Wine & Spirits/Black Ram Restaurant will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza by the slice, and drinks. Kona Ice will sell tropical shaved ice.
A short presentation will happen at 12:50 p.m. on the steps of the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 700 22nd St.
A partial Great Unveiling will be demonstrated throughout the afternoon at 735 22nd St. Great Unveilings are a signature event for the historic district where siding is removed from a home to reveal the original clapboard.
In conjunction with the event, Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) will have open houses at two of its homes for sale through GROWTH's Homebuyer Program in Broadway: 847 22nd Street and 544 23rd Street. The homes will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m.
A few of the members on the planning committee have lived in Broadway long before it was called Broadway, including Diane Oestreich.
"Broadway was a stable, comfortable neighborhood when we moved here with small children 50 years ago and it remains so today," Oestreich said. "It is one of Rock Island's hidden treasures."
Planning committee member Steve Trainor, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, will have a recording station set up in Karpeles during the event where he will interview anyone about why they enjoy the neighborhood and their Broadway memories.
"We'll give both long-time and new residents a chance to record their memories of their time here," Trainor said. The footage he gathers will be edited into a short DVD that will celebrate the neighborhood so many have called home from the 1800s to today.
This event is open to everyone. Parking will be available on neighborhood streets. For more information, contact Braun at
(309) 912-2657 or
barb@thecommunicationsolution.us, or visit the Broadway Historic District's website at
www.broadwaydistrict.org.
