New things to discover on 2014 Discovery Day

Posted on Friday, July 25, 2014

by Jane Utecht, Staff Reporter, courtesy of Madison Daily Leader

Madison has had a summer celebration for many years, but last year “people were ready for change,” said Rosie Jamison, executive director of the Greater Madison Area Chamber of Commerce (GMACC).

Organizers switched the format from a two-day Crazy Days schedule to a one-day event this year, set for Saturday. They called it “Discovery Day,” which appropriately ties into Madison’s slogan “Discover the Unexpected.”

“This was a tremendous change,” Jamison said, but people liked the new format. “They like that there’s more to offer and more to discover,” she said.

What worked was a blend of the old events (retail options, Mart in the Park and petting zoo) with the new (demonstrations and fun booths).

A tremendous change for the weekend this year is the addition of the All-School Reunion and Prairie Music Festival.

Jamison doesn’t feel the combination of all these events on the same day is too much because of the way events are timed. Activities begin at 7 a.m. and stagger throughout the day, with the reunion/music fest concluding in the evening.

Madison Mayor Roy Lindsay concurs.

“It should be a very busy day,” he said, but tagging the events together “could be exactly the way to do it.”

Personally, he has family coming for the reunion, and they came a day early to get in on Discovery Day activities.

“It may turn out to be set up very well,” Lindsay said, a “way to make a full day of activities.” That way, people can discover that “Madison is a fun place to live,” Lindsay said.

“People are excited that the school is involved,” Jamison said. There will be tours of the high school from 1-3 p.m. with shuttle bus rides on the Madison Bulldog bus.

There are a few other changes to the Discovery Day schedule, made in response to comments from 2013.

There will be more food options on Egan Ave., particularly from businesses located off Egan Avenue, such as Pizza Ranch and Classic Corner, Jamison said. This gives people more options to “grab and go” while listening to the music groups at Mochavino or to wander over to Library Park for the Madison Christian School’s Mart in the Park.

Stadium Sports Bar & Grill is sponsoring a Rib Fest from 1-5 p.m. with proceeds going to the Domestic Violence Network.

There will be new inflatable options to discover on Egan Ave., including an obstacle course called “Adrenalin Run II” and Power Paddlers for smaller children. For games on a smaller scale, Classic Corner is sponsoring a Bean Bag Tournament on Egan Ave. The GMACC and Helena Chemicals are sponsoring a zip line, a 30-foot ride located at the corner of Egan and S.W. 1st St.

Kasey Gehrels from Helena said they chose to help with sponsorship because “we wanted to show we support the community.” This is also an educational opportunity for the ag products company, Gehrels said, so younger generations can discover what agriculture is and how important it is.

Jamison noted the “tremendous efforts” of those involved. “Their efforts all make it happen,” Jamison said.”

Article Provided by and Courtesy of Madison Daily Leader