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Put your mind to the test and dive into some frien

Put your mind to the test and dive into some friendly competition at this year’s Downtown Block Party. This part of the party is all about puzzles, strategy, and games that bring out your inner challenger—from fast-paced chess matches to giant games and hands-on fun for all ages.

♟️ Blitz & Bullet Chess Tournaments with the Iowa Chess Association.

Think fast, move faster. These high-speed chess tournaments are perfect for sharp minds and quick thinkers. Open to all skill levels, the Blitz & Bullet matches give players the chance to win prizes and earn bragging rights. Prefer to take it slow? Pull up a chair at the casual play tables and enjoy a friendly match with a new opponent.

🧩 Puzzle & Gaming Plaza with @diversions.ic

Get your game face on and head into a playful zone packed with brainy fun! Try your hand at the Speed Puzzle Tournament solo or with a team and race against the clock for a shot at the leaderboard and some sweet prizes. Take on CornChecks, a hilarious, life-sized blend of checkers and cornhole that’s just as fun to watch as it is to play. Or kick back with oversized yard games and classic tabletop board games.

Bring your thinking cap and get ready to play!

Yesterday marked the final day of @textilesinc und

Yesterday marked the final day of @textilesinc under the leadership of longtime owner Ritu Jain—closing out an incredible 34-year chapter in Downtown Iowa City.

Ritu has been a catalyst for progress, collaboration, and creativity in our downtown, and a true force in shaping our retail community. From mentoring fellow business owners and creating cornerstone retail events like the Shop Crawl and Sidewalk Sales to helping launch the Retail Caucus, Ritu’s impact has been both deep and lasting. That first meeting, sparked by her determination to bring retailers together, laid the foundation for many of the support systems our district relies on today.

Ritu has never been short on energy or ideas. She’s the visionary behind initiatives like the Tree Huggers art project, kids’ window painting, and countless other creative efforts that helped position downtown as a vibrant and welcoming destination to visit and shop.

Last month, we were proud to honor Ritu with a Person of Impact award at the ICDD Annual Meeting, recognizing her decades of dedication to local business, community building, and making downtown thrive.

While we say goodbye to this inspiring era, we’re excited to share that Textiles will soon reopen under new ownership. Stay tuned for more details, and thank you, Ritu, for 34 years of fashion, heart, and transformative impact.

Artwork by @kierstencarts

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s First Round conversation about ICDD’s 2026–2036 SSMID renewal and expansion. It was an energizing evening at @trumpetblossom as we discussed the future of our district and what continued investment through the Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) means for our community.

Special thanks to our speakers:
– Jennifer Miller from @uihealthcare, who shared thoughtful insights on the integration of the downtown medical campus and its role in the district’s future
– Karen Kubby of @beadologyiowa, SSMID Renewal Committee Co-Chair, who reflected on the creation of the SSMID in 2012 and why its renewal is a critical step forward
– Bill Nusser of @handsjewelers, a founding member of ICDD, for hosting and helping shape this important conversation

Over the next year, ICDD staff and members of the SSMID Renewal Committee will be connecting with downtown property and business owners to talk about petition signing and the collective impact of this model. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved and learn how we’re working to keep Downtown Iowa City clean, safe, vibrant, and thriving for years to come.

Learn more here:
https://downtowniowacity.com/icdd-ssmid-renewal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyURjRNDv_Q

@silentdiscodsm is back on Dubuque Street at this

@silentdiscodsm is back on Dubuque Street at this year’s Downtown Block Party and it’s ready to light up the night with beats, bops, and non-stop dance moves!

Sponsored by our friends at @greenstatecu, this fan-favorite experience brings 1,000 headsets, three DJ channels, and a whole lot of good vibes. Grab your crew, pick your playlist, and dance the night away.

Whether you’re in the middle of the action or just passing by for some people-watching, this is one Block Party moment you won’t want to miss.

Show us your moves on June 28th!

Our new pickleball vending machine in the Ped Mall

Our new pickleball vending machine in the Ped Mall is officially up and running and ready for action!

🎾 Free paddles and balls are available to play. Just grab what you need and hit the court! When you’re finished, we kindly ask that you return any borrowed items to the return slot on the side of the machine.

🧤 Looking to level up? The machine is also stocked with other pickleball gear available for purchase.

Game on, Iowa City!

The latest episode of the Downtown Dish is here an

The latest episode of the Downtown Dish is here and it’s all about the bright red shirts, friendly faces, and hardworking team keeping downtown clean, safe, and welcoming.

In Episode #12, Anna is joined by guest co-host Betsy Potter, Executive Director of ICDD, as they chat with Keyon Shelby, Operations Manager of the Downtown Iowa City Ambassador Program.

Keyon shares his journey from a career in film and video production in Chicago to leading the Ambassador team here in Iowa City through Block by Block, a national service management company operating in over 170 cities across the U.S. In just the first year, the local Ambassador team has removed over 191,000 pounds of trash, responded to more than 1,000 biohazard cleanups, and built a visible, trusted presence in our community. From curbside cleanup and snow shoveling to helping jumpstart cars and giving directions, these Ambassadors are changing how service and hospitality show up downtown.

You’ll also hear about their smart system for logging work, ongoing staff trainings, and new initiatives like a summer youth program with the Iowa City School District, designed to teach high school students hands-on job skills while working side-by-side with the Ambassador team.

Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon to hear the full story.

Programmed by @downtowniowacity, @thinkiowacity, a

Programmed by @downtowniowacity, @thinkiowacity, and @cfjc_ia, a new mural will soon be brought to life in the heart of Downtown. @xolp, an artist who specializes in whimsical illustrations, has worked on thousands of custom projects and we can’t wait for this project to be added to her list of accomplishments. Her mural will serve as a lasting piece of public art, fostering creativity, community engagement, and a sense of place that reflects the spirit of Johnson County.

As a key feature of the Downtown Block Party on June 28th, the mural’s final touches will be completed with the help of event attendees. Leave your mark on Downtown Iowa City by filling in the doodles with beautiful pops of color!

See you on the streets on June 28th!

Come on down to Block Party on Saturday, June 28th

Come on down to Block Party on Saturday, June 28th and bring out your inner child with these extra large tricycles. We promise you’ll be laughing out loud and reliving your childhood summer days.

@briar_ridge_bikes will be organizing the races and cheering on the chaos. Thank you, @briar_ridge_bikes , for participating your first-ever Block Party!

See you on the streets on June 28th!

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