Jefferson Matters is hosting a special event on Friday in honor of being named the Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winner.

Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich invites everyone to the GAMSA Street Party on the corner of East Lincolnway and South Chestnut Street, near the Welcome Center from 5-8pm. He says there will be free inflatables for the kids, along with the Shuffle Couple playing music and food trucks available for purchase.

“It’ll be fun. Something we’re going to do to welcome the community in (with) a big party (and) celebrate this, and we’re going to keep doing fun things throughout the year. But this is a fun, family-friendly event. Come on downtown and celebrate in the Main Street, which happens to be one of the best Main Streets in the entire country, so we’re going to celebrate that.”   

Jefferson Mayor Craig Berry endorsed the Friday event by making a proclamation at the recent City Council meeting on April 22nd by declaring 2025 as the GAMSA Year for the city. He shares his reaction to when he made the proclamation as well as what it means for the city to have this recognition.

“That was pretty good, I enjoyed it. I was on the original committee to apply to get a Main Street designation for down here. It has worked out really well with people (who) can see that in the buildings and stuff. Hopefully again, this GAMSA award, we’ll be able to PR (public relations and marketing) more stuff coming (to) downtown, and it gives us a really nice connection with not only the Iowa Main Street, but with the Main Street USA.”   

Wetrich hopes to see lots of people and families celebrating the accomplishment of being a GAMSA winner.