A community event is happening during the week leading up to the in-state rivalry college football game.

The Cy/Hawk game is on Saturday, September 9th and Jefferson Matters is helping to host a Block Party coming up on Tuesday. Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich says there are several activities for everyone to enjoy on that day from 4-10pm when RVTV rolls into the downtown square in Jefferson. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio there will be inflatables and tailgate games, along with American Athletic Incorporated/Spaulding will also showcase one of their items.

“AAI/Spaulding will have one of their like NBA/NCAA style basketball hoops that are usually just reserved for indoors. For the first time ever, they’re going to bring one outdoors and we’re going to have a shooting competition going on.”   

The Greene County High School cheerleaders and Rammy the mascot will be on hand, a concert on the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower from 4:30-5pm of Iowa and Iowa State fight songs, chalk art and face painting, and a dunk tank, which Wetrich says three notable individuals who will participate.

“So far we have all three Greene County Community School District principals signed up. So that’s 4(pm), 4:30(pm) and 5(pm), they are going to be taking turns. So bring your kids down if they want to try to get to dunk their principal in the dunk tank.”   

Wetrich points out there will be some friendly competitions for fans of the two teams, including tug-of-war at 5 and 7pm, a “Stuff Your Face Relay Race” at 6pm, then the Town and Country Band will perform at 6:30pm, followed by yoga on the courthouse lawn at 7:30pm, human foosball at 8pm and the Shuffle Couple from 8-10pm. The Greene County Farmers Market will be taking place from 5-7pm as well. 

Wetrich adds everything is free and Wilson Avenue from State Street through Lincoln Way and Lincoln Way from just west of Wilson Avenue to Chestnut Street will be closed on Tuesday to traffic.