The Bell Tower Festival in Jefferson is happening this coming week and there is a new fundraiser that begins prior to the festivities.

Bell Tower Festival Chair Philip Heisterkamp tells Raccoon Valley Radio on Wednesday from 5:30-7:30pm on the downtown square, everyone is invited to enjoy a root beer float for $5 provided by Jefferson Hy-Vee, as a fundraiser for the festival. He shares what he envisions this type of event will look like.

“The idea is to create a downtown square environment, just like in the 50s. Those pictures you’ve seen where people come downtown with their cars and they just get out, park, and talk to each other.”  

Additionally, Heisterkamp reminds everyone that there are a variety of competitions that people can sign up for as part of the festival. Some of the contests include a cookie bake-off on Thursday, followed by the popular puzzle competition and a boot toss to hit a target, which is a twist on the Tower Toss Giveaway that Heisterkamp says better fits the theme of “Saddle Up,”

“The Tower Toss, where we give away $1,000. You enter a free drawing, you go up in a mechanical lift 40-50 feet in the air, and you take your best shot. Little things like that have taken off last year and we’ll continue on this year.”

Other contests are the Jefferson Parks and Rec Ding Dong Dash and 3-on-3 basketball tournament, along with mud volleyball, pickleball, trivia, disc golf and a bags tournament. All of the registrations can be found by clicking here.