The Alley, a newly created gathering space project downtown, will host its ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening on Saturday, July 16th. The Ribbon Cutting, set for 10:30 AM, will be the official opening and will coincide with Christmas in July on the downtown square. A soft opening, allowing the community early use of the space, began this week on July 7th, where the Questers group have already reserved a space to host their monthly meeting on opening day.

The Alley KADTS; Karen Hafner, Ann Brouwer, Deb Beach, Theresa Grahek, and Sherry Vavra, have planned a special theme for the grand opening event. The morning will begin an hour before Christmas in July , at 10:00 AM, with What Women Want. “We will have eight stations set up along the alley that include essential oils, permanent make up , hair styling fun, beauty products, positive thinking, Omni health, coffee tasting, and massages. To go along with what women want, we will serve festive Christmas in July champagne samples!” , said Grahek. “We invite all you ladies to come check it out!” she added. “The alley will be open without activities for the lunch hour in order to promote eating at local businesses, but we invite all to grab and go and bring lunch into the alley to rest at one of the 16 tables”, stated Beach. After lunch, from 4:00- 6:00 PM, the alley will re-open with What Men Want. “Oh that’s happy hour,” laughed Brouwer. “We will serve beer and brats for sure”. She added that after 6:00 PM the evening activities will be geared to the square with Christmas in July and several adult activities will take place.
Free will donations will be taken for activities in the alley with all profits given over to the Christmas in July fundraiser for purchasing new Christmas lights in the square. “We can’t wait to open and we invite everyone to come out on the 16th for the grand opening,” stated Beach. “I love what is happening downtown and in the square”, said Vavra, “the alley is special to to all of us [KADTS]. I also give kudos to main street for all the events and activities happening downtown.” Hafner ended by saying “the KADTS have worked hard to create a special gathering place for the community. A little more gets done everyday. I am happy for these girls, I have loved working on the project with them.” The KADTS were quick to say “We are so happy to see it open and for the community to get to use it!”