Giant bubbles are made at the “Absolute Science Bubble Station” on Saturday, June 3, during the Be Downtown celebration in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
There was food, music, a bags tournament, prizes and bubbles – lots of bubbles. The annual Be Downtown celebration, hosted by the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, had those features and many others during a hot, sunny day at the 15th Street Landing at 15th and State streets in Bettendorf on Saturday, June 3. Hundreds of partygoers gathered […]
There was food, music, a bags tournament, prizes and bubbles – lots of bubbles. The annual Be Downtown celebration, hosted by the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, had those features and many others during a hot, sunny day at the 15th Street Landing at 15th and State streets in Bettendorf on Saturday, June 3.
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Giant bubbles are made at the “Absolute Science Bubble Station” on Saturday, June 3, during the Be Downtown celebration in Bettendorf. PHOTOS BY DAVE THOMPSON
Ryan Jantzi, executive director of the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, talks to the crowd during this year's Be Downtown event. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A band plays during the recent Be Downtown celebration in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
People had fun making giant bubbles during the celebration.
The Be Downton celebration included a bags tournament.
Bubbles fill the air at the celebration.
Hundreds of partygoers gathered at that site to enjoy the activities. For at least part of the day, many were gathered around the “Absolute Science Bubble Station.” That station featured visitors dipping devices called bubble wands into containers filled with a soap solution in order to create some massive bubbles.It was a great activity for the kids, but many adults were also having fun filling the celebration with bubbles.“I think this is awesome. I think I’m having more fun at this than the kids,” said Betsy Nolan of Davenport, as she created some big bubbles.Not far away, Maggie Brooks of Bettendorf was also spending part of the day making bubble magic. “I love the bubbles. But I wish they had more food options here, like ice cream. It’s a super hot day, but all of this is really cool,” she added.In addition to the bubbles, visitors were listening to local bands, kids were playing in inflatable bounce houses, teams were taking part in a bags tournament and many folks were having cool drinks in the shaded areas of tents. (Many of those activities were part of the K&K Family Fun Zone.)But there's more to the Be Downtown celebration than fun and games. It’s also an event to showcase many of the new businesses, features and other positive aspects of the city.Ryan Jantzi, executive director of the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, said the festival helps show people that the downtown area is a vibrant place for people to live, visit, shop and play.“We’re showing what we have built. … We’re showing Bettendorf has awakened from its slumber,” he added.While introducing the bands playing during the Be Downtown celebration, Mr. Jantzi told the crowd: “We want the Quad Cities to see what’s happening here, and the best is yet to come.”Be Downtown was presented by Ascentra Credit Union and Bettendorf Business Network with additional sponsorship from City of Bettendorf, Isle Casino Hotel, K&K Hardware, Mediacom, MidAmerican Energy, Smart Automotive and the Quad-City Times.
