Downtown Alliance plans fall activities
If downtown Logan manager Bob Marcolese has his way, many new retail stores will be brought to downtown, and many changes in appearance will occur throughout the city.
Marcolese said Logan City sent out a survey to residents earlier this year, asking them what they would like to see change about downtown.
Many responded that they would like to see more restaurants, a convenience store and more clothing stores.
Gene Needham IV, owner of S.E. Needham Jewelers and president of the Logan Downtown Alliance, said that hiring Marcolese has “definitely brought a lot of excitement to our downtown.”
“Downtown has been evolving for more than a century,” Needham said.
The alliance decided to come up with a slogan to draw people to downtown.
The new slogan is “Experience what’s new in downtown Logan,” Needham said.
Marcolese said he has been developing many new ideas and activities for residents of the valley, including Utah State University students.
He said there is a “disconnection between Logan and the university.” To many people, USU is “just a place up on the hill,” he said.
College towns like Logan should be more inviting to students when they’re looking for something to do, he said.
Friday, the alliance sponsored the Lotoja Bike Kick-off festival.
Every year, hundreds of participants race from Logan to Jackson, Wyo. – a 184-mile race.
This year, the alliance started a street festival to send the riders off.
The festival included bands, food, booths.
In July, the alliance started another annual event, “The Great American Sidewalk Festival.” It is a three-day sidewalk sale including other events.
They have horse-drawn carriages, food booths, and other activities to attract students and non-students alike.
In order to entice more students to experience downtown, the alliance is planning a “USU homecoming downtown jazz stampede.”
After the homecoming parade downtown, the alliance would like to have jazz musicians playing on all of the street corners.
Free Aggie Ice Cream will be available for people as they walk around Main Street listening to the different Jazz ensembles.
As for upcoming activities, there are still many events to attend this fall in downtown Logan.
Friday evening is the Gallery Walk in downtown, which features local artists displaying their art in many of the downtown stores.
Friday is also the evening prior to the Top of Utah Marathon, which features runners from around the world.
-scottsj@cc.usu.edu