Victoria Helling, Executive Director, Boone County Chamber of Commerce and Holly Stecker, Executive Director of Downtown Boone Mainstreet, October 8, 2026

On our program today we are going to be talking about what's going on with Boone County Chamber of Commerce and also our downtown Boone Main Street committee. We're joined by Victoria Halling. Good morning. Good morning. And Holly, Holly Stekers here. Good morning. Thanks for coming back because if you didn't then Victoria would be here by herself. That's right and it would be sad. Victoria Puffer-Billy, your first one, 50th anniversary, fighting the weather. But it worked out pretty nice. It worked out great. We didn't have to cancel any events so it was really nice. There were a lot of nervous people for the parade going on. Absolutely, absolutely. And so that worked out great. We actually had, we got some metrics back on it. We had over 8,000 people go through Puffer-Billy days so I feel like a great turnout even despite the, you know what I mean, the iffy weather conditions. And we had our largest crowd during our back in black and 90s rock show performance on Saturday. I don't, it was just so fun to be in that energy with everyone around having such a great time. So we were very, very happy and proud of what we put together. So when you're, when you have a nine-year-old grandson with you and you're trying to explain ACDC. It doesn't compute. That was a whole other thing. It doesn't compute. It doesn't compute. No, it's a great entertainment and packed. It was just packed down there. It was. And again, a little different setup this time, but yeah, it worked out pretty well. I got a lot of great compliments on the layout. Actually, people kind of liked that beer tent being really centrally located by the green space and everything, you know, flowed really nicely with the food trucks going up by the chamber. And then we went to Scott's amusements. And I just feel like it was a good flow this year. So the back after this part, of course, you got a little break afterwards. But you do collect a lot of information. And then at some point, you're going to be sitting down with some of the people involved, I'm guessing. We're actually meeting in about two weeks. Do a little brainstorming. What work? What did we do that for next time? Absolutely. Absolutely. And we are always looking for committee members to help out with Puffer Billy. You know, it is a, you know, quite an endeavor, a three day festival. So if you are interested, please reach out to me at the chamber, victoria at boom county chamber.com. We would love to have you as part of the committee and part of this, you know, amazing event for our community. So, so well, as we went through the whole thing, I mean, we had a lot of things that we're going together and go, this worked out okay. Well, of course, somewhat weather related. What do you do for sure? You just go with the flow. That's all you do. That's right. That's right. Oh, you get your way finding signs up before we did. We did. So for people that didn't know or didn't pay attention, yes, there are little way finding signs out there. A lot of businesses got in and participated with that. Yep. This first round is mostly focused on food and beverage. So come on down, treat it like a scavenger hunt, find the signs there 12 total. Find the signs and visit your local eatery. Just walk walk ability walk ability. Yep. So what else today? What a leadership one. Yes. So we actually have our next lead program. That's today. We're going to be talking about public speaking and confidence in the workplace, which I feel like we all we all need that right. We actually have 14 participants in our lead program for we're just shy of our 15. So I'm confident next year we'll get those 15. The program runs September through May with our graduation in May. And we have it's one day per month, usually around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the chamber. And there's always a speaker and then a tour of a Boone business or organization with lunch included. So your sponsors still eggs, eggs, certain and fairway. In fact, this year, fairway approached us and said, you know, we will match if you get a sizable donation, we will match that. So they match the egg, certain donations. So this program, we're able to get the good food and get the good speakers and it's going to be a great or a great year for lead. But for them, I mean, as they look at it, both of them are the same way. They do the same kind of philosophy. Why reinvent the wheel? If you have successful people, learn from them. Absolutely. Absolutely. And they're, you know, two companies that are very committed to the growth of their employees, you know, personal and professional growth. So they actually have quite a few of their students in there as well. So and that's what it's all about. Absolutely. We're doing that. Halloween stuff coming up or where do you want to go next? What's up next? We might as well talk about trunk or treat. Yeah. Okay. Yep. Because Monday night, the council did have the application. Yep. And we're going to make it again. Hopefully it's going to be crowded no matter what. I don't care. Yeah. Well, in partnership, the chamber in downtown Boone will host trunk or treat and all of it's a free event to the community and free to participate. We are taking a new approach where we've asked if the trunks, if you will, are hosting an activity, we're going to sparse those out. Yes. Yep. And just take a strategic approach to it so that everybody has a great time and can get through. I know last year, we served over 1200 kids, the fire department and the police department served over 1200 hot dogs. That's how we keep track. Yep. Yep. And just as a reminder, this is a shop with a cop fundraiser. And we've been collecting donations for that through our website already and set up to be a great event to share. Well, middle of the summer, you had people making content. When's trunk or treat? Yeah. I love how involved our community is and how excited they are about this event. It is Thursday, October 22nd from five to seven p.m. And yeah, just like Holly said, we're trying to get some some fun things happening where we have a balloon arch for sure coming, trying to get some characters to, you know, take pictures and photo ops with the kids. I think we're working on inflatables as well. So we're going to have a little extra this year. You know, that's great. If you thought it was packed before. And to be fun. We are going to, we'll launch the Puffer 2027 theme at night as well. Yes. And start collecting donations. And we'll start collecting donations for that. So you'll probably find me over by that balloon arch. So when we meet with our committee here in just two weeks, then we will finalize that theme and that'll be a big announcement as well. So as we well know, again, a couple of years ago when, well, when trunk or treat ended up coming downtown and the chamber became involved and, and then downtown Boone in there. But it's you get so many participants and it's just a nonstop line. That's why I get strategic locations. Yeah. Try to keep things moving. Yep. Keep keep it moving. And just another opportunity for the community to come down and meet the businesses that are here 365 days of the year. Your your shops on story people, those those people, I mean, they'll be doing things as well. They may not be out on the street with it, but they'll be sitting on the sidewalk. I'm sure. Oh, for sure. For sure. It'll be fun. Yeah. Now we got to have some great weather, some great weather. And if you are interested, if you're a business or individual interested in participating and having a trunk, go to downtown Boone website. The application is live. And like Kali said, that is a free, free application, free to, you know, participate in there. And we hope, yeah. And we're hoping to get a good turnout for it. Yep. There is an event on Facebook for this as well. Okay. And the sign up there. All right. Sign up link there. So for those that have been chomping at the bit and waiting, it's coming. And I think the some of the shops on story, we got a lot of other Halloween type things that are going on. We're gonna have another parade too. Yes. Yeah. So after Boone's beggars night on October 31st, come on downtown, either join the parade, which you can sign up. We'll have applications at the chamber, but those are also listed online under the shops on story on Facebook. And come on down and join the Halloween parade. It was a great time last year. I'm excited. Well, anytime, you know, there for a while, it seemed like anything we could do to have a parade. Right. Why not? Why wouldn't you? I'm looking for things to do. I know. I'm just trying to think of what I'm going to do to decorate. You know what? I mean, my car. I'm like, what am I going to? I'm not as creative as Holly over here. So I have to pick her brain for our chamber car, what we're going to do. Yeah, never. No, there's a lot of things that it's amazing. And the people that will come out because they really get into this. Absolutely. Yeah. I was very surprised at the crowd last year. Again, it was wonderful weather on again. Fingers crossed. Yeah, exactly. We are at the at the. It's all about mother nature, what she wants to do. That's right. We'll just we'll just go ahead and plan it and see who all shows and have a good time. So that's going on. Yep. And so again, Trunker Tree is October 22, but October 24, Saturday, the 24th is our second haunted building, second year for our haunted building tour. And it is shaping up to be very spooky and all the Boon Lore. Yes. Out in full force. And what age Holly or do you recommend for, you know, if kids want to go to that, what do you feel is a good age range for that? So there are two ticket options. There's a four to six tour and a tour that starts the tour start back at 6 30 to 9. So I would say if you've got little kids who who might get a little scared, I'd go the four o'clock and it's still light outside. It'll be dusk late October, but four to six will be okay. The less spooky. And it's all within the downtown part. Correct. So without going into all the details, all of this information and the tickets are live on the website now. But the Erickson Public Library, the Historical Society, or Boon History Center, excuse me, and then buildings between 9th and 6th Street. So everything is a two to three minute walk from each other. The Boon Theater, the Community Theater, shaping up to be very fun. And earlier in the week, I had a community theater on there. Gonna do it again too. They're excited. She's got big plans. Definitely make that stop.

We never knew Boon had a prison. Well, yeah, put homey out there. See what happens. We've got all of that. Anyway, so that's, but that is a ticketed event. It is a ticketed. So you have to purchase a ticket to be a participant to go through that. Correct. And those tickets are live on the website. And this year, we have a total of eight buildings. So you'll have to plan accordingly. We're also doing self-guided tours. And they all start on the half hour. That's a little bit of a change from last year as well. All right. We learned from what we did. We learned. We do. We have a fun event with Spooky Story as well. It's actually the first year we're doing it. It's called Witches and Wine, kind of replacing the booze and brews that we had last year. This one's gonna be held on October 28th, which is a Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bottled Bliss. So this is a ticketed event as well. It is open to the public. So it's $25 online, $30 cash if you pay at the door. So you can even come that night. Your ticket includes a free glass of Witches Brew Sangria, a wine glass charm kit, which you can either make at Bottled Bliss or you can take home with you, a build-your-own adult trick-or-treat bag. I say adult trick-or-treat bag because it's gonna have, I say, the good candy, right? So it's gonna have, like, dove-dark chocolates. Things that moms want. And then a complimentary card reading. We're gonna have an angel card reading. So, and we just confirmed that the wobbly pin food truck from Nevada is coming. They're gonna have smash burgers. So that's gonna be right outside Bottled Bliss. So you can have your whole dinner and then come in and get some drinks and, yeah, have a great time. And I would like to say that Witches and Warlocks are welcome to come. So feel free to bring here significant other as well. Everybody, yes. And one thing I was gonna say, but down there, she's done several different things. We're walked off the street and once again, stretch over to the parking lot and have all kinds of entertainment. Get a regular crowd coming down there for that. Absolutely. I feel like Kelly is very, you know, invested in making these community events. Does everyone feel very involved? I love when she does those dueling pianos. I went for that this summer and that was incredible. So she always knows how to throw a good party. So we're excited for that. And that application is, has been posted to our Facebook page. And it is live there, a job form that you fill out and campaign advance. Again, ticketed events, folks. So plan to help support. Absolutely. That's one of the big things there. And then you do it online. You can save five bucks and do it early. Okay. So that's going on. Do you have other things coming up? Of course. Of course, Jim. I know. I was just telling Holly. I was like, you know, we're just, fall is such a fun time to get out and about, right? Before the weather changes. So this is, this is the time to get out with your family and friends and just kind of socialize. So we do have coming up on the very next day after which is in wine. So don't drink too much. We have our first young professionals, coffee social, that's going to be held at the Daily Boss. We're doing this in conjunction with area YP, which is the Ames Alliance and also Boone Economic Growth. It's going to be at 730 a.m. to 9 a.m. That is, you know, open to the public. So if you are a young professional, want to go meet other young professionals, this I feel is a segment that we didn't really have, you know, support for. So this was something that was kind of brought to our attention. And so we're providing that support. So we're excited to have that networking event on the 29th. Kind of like your, well, the, the new business, the new membership you have is, which are usually some new people that are just starting some of these things. This is a great way to network. Absolutely. And get out and, you know, in a very kind of relaxed setting and get to know, get to know your neighbor's potential colleagues and go from there. It's one of those where I think we've had, Holly, you might have been younger when we first did. She's not that old. She doesn't quite fall into YP. Neither do I, Holly. You have to be out of the YP. It's one of those things where we have had, you know, we have had these startup before. The hard part is maintaining. Of course. And now working again, and we know Ames is the Ames Alliance. They have successfully continued to bring new people in or have new participants. Absolutely. And so yeah, I, we're, we're very lucky to have good partnership with Ames Alliance. I feel like they've provided a lot of great resources, ideas and collaborate with us a lot. And I feel like that's what it's all about, especially when you're in a smaller town that has limited resources to partner with other organizations. So that way we can bring all these things to our town and enjoy them and, you know, benefit from them. So that's why I keep telling people, I said, remember, we have Victoria here from the chamber and Holly's here from downtown Boone. And they are again, same building, but different entities. And you got different responsibilities that you're working on too. But lots of crossover and collaboration. Well, you, and when you can, you do. Of course. So I was going to ask Holly, because of things with Main Street, do you have some things coming up that you have to be doing? Oh, yes. Well, I have my quarterly recording. There are the requirements to be part of Main Street. People tend to forget about that. Oh, sure. It's all the behind the scenes deals. But earlier this week, I will have been in Osceola for our fall conference. Looking forward to bringing back all of those big ideas and really our calendar as we scoot through spooky Story Street down here. Looking forward to the holiday season. We've got some big things to talk about there. Lot of plans. Lot of excitement among the members. Because it is one of those collaborative efforts. 100% 100%. And the chamber side of things. Yes. So we do have, I was about to say, as we get into the holidays, we are going to have our annual meeting banquet. That's going to be on Tuesday, November 10th. It's, we always do a lunch, 1130 a.m. to 1 p.m. We were able to confirm 1868 farmhouse is we're going to be having it. If you guys haven't been to that gorgeous venue, I feel like that's going to be you know, a nice sit down lunch. We will have a speaker and yeah, a nice lunch will be served and there'll be a great opportunity to network and collaborate with your local businesses. Plenty. Plenty of things going on. Again, so we know, I think the big things coming up here, check your calendar, at least for the chamber side of things. Well, you know, some of them collaborate right away, don't they? Yeah, absolutely. Because what I would say, we have trunk or treat, right? That's October 22nd. Yep. Yeah. And then haunted building tour. Haunted building tour on October 24th. Which is in wine on October 28th. And then we go right into the Boone Young Professionals on October 29th. And all of the fun things. And then there's a parade at the end of the day. And then there's a parade, exactly. It's going to be fantastic. All right. I do appreciate you taking time to come in and visit and keep us updated what's going on. And again, Puffer, you know, mother nature, sometimes she could be a lot, she could have been a lot worse. It went beautifully. Very, very excited. A lot of people were going, art in the park and you know, okay. But it, it, okay. I went by, I was about to say, I still feel like we had a really good turnout for art in the park, even though the weather was, you know what I mean? A little iffy. So it, it turned out great. What we were dealing with too. And you, well, I guess, uh, super nationals, uh, you had plenty of people in town for that. Yes. Uh, and Thomas was around weekend with Thomas and the Puffer belly. Right. Falls always, like I said, a busy time, but that's the fun time. That's the time we need to get the kids and get out and go, you know, spend time with your neighbors and be outdoors, enjoying the beautiful weather. So we're here for it. It was before number eight. That's right. I do appreciate it. Thanks so much for coming in and, uh, letting us know what's going on. Thank you, Jim. Thank you, Jim.