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It’s not like Bettendorf hasn’t had plenty to celebrate in recent months – with the completion of a new Interstate 74 bridge and the realization of that 30-year dream.
But as the calendar flips through 2022, the city also finds itself with a once-a-century chance – if that – to celebrate the fact that its 52722 zip code aligns with the calendar date of 5/27/22. And it appears that is a reason to party.
City officials along with representatives of the Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO), Bettendorf Business Network (BBN), and other businesses and organizations have begun to plan for a Zip Code Celebration on May 27. The day, which is the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, will kick off with a celebration event that leads into more than a week of fun across Bettendorf – ending with the Be Downtown festival on Saturday, June 4.
Jeff Reiter, the city’s economic development director, said a steering committee of city staff, business owners, and other community volunteers, is just beginning to recruit others to join in the planning of the communitywide party. “Our goal is not to make this a City of Bettendorf event, but to make it a community event,” he told the QCBJ.
While the planning is only in the infancy stages, Mr. Reiter said the idea is to celebrate the community and draw attention to the businesses and places that call it home. Organizers hope Bettendorf businesses and other organizations will plan and host their own individual events to create a weeklong Zip Code Celebration.
In fact, Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher took to social media in mid-January to invite residents, businesses and other Bettendorf organizations to email their ideas to 52722party@bettendorf.org. “We’re looking for all kinds of ideas to make this a great celebration,” he said.
Denise Enfield, who handles Bettendorf’s social media and events, said some of the ideas being floated include food festivals, a bags tournament, vendor shows, craft fairs, business open houses and specials, as well as sporting events. Others have suggested a 52722 King and Queen – chosen from the city’s residents who were born on that day - or special recognition for any participants who will turn 22 on 5/27/22.
The Quad Cities Running Club already has committed to hosting a series of runs and races on Memorial Day beginning and ending at the TBK Bank Sports Complex in north Bettendorf. “People definitely want a 5k race,” Ms. Enfield said.
But the anchor event will be a brew competition among Bettendorf’s breweries, Mr. Reiter said. Each will be tasked with creating their own 52722 Brew. The winning brewery will have the honor of hosting the Zip Code Celebration party on May 27.
“We’re hoping whole areas – such as Cumberland Square, the TBK Bank Sports Complex neighborhood or BBN will go out and plan events together,” he added.
Be Downtown will be hosted in the city-owned parking lot near the TBK Bank Building. This year’s festivities will include 10 cash prizes of $527.22 each as well as other prizes.
Mr. Reiter said in addition to the city, BBN and DBO, some of the businesses already pledging support and involvement are: The Forge at Palmer Hills Golf Course; Family Museum; BankORION; Quad Cities Regional Business Journal; The Summit of Bettendorf; Twin Span Brewing; Five Cities Brewing; Crawford Brew Works; Adventurous Brewing; Nerdspeak Brewery; Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf; TBK Bank Sports Complex; Quad Cities Running Festival; The Tangled Wood and Meatballs Sandwich Co.
He credited the zip code day idea to Mr. Gallagher, City Administrator Decker Ploehn and Alderman Scott Webster. “They all thought it only happens once every 100 years, we have to do something cool,” Mr. Reiter said.
For more information, or to get involved, contact Ms. Enfield at denfield@bettendorf.org.
