THE IRON MOUNTAIN Downtown Development Authority is seeking signature sponsorship for its beautification projects and Farmers and Artisans Market. They are also offering several other sponsorship opportunities for its major festivals and other events. DDA beautification volunteers Wanda Khor and Marla Peterson last year helped prepare planters at the downtown stage area. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News file photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Downtown Development Authority is gearing up for another busy season.

In preparation, they are reaching out to local businesses and community members to help make each one of its programs and events a success.

The DDA offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities. Supporter contributions start at $250 and go to $5,000 or $6,500 to become a signature sponsor.

“There are many different levels in between as well,” DDA Program Coordinator Tim McCauley said.

As a signature sponsor, they will receive prominent exposure on the DDA website, social media, and be included in all advertising of that specific program or festival. General sponsors will also receive a few of the same benefits, while supporters are mentioned on the web site.

With the planting and market season fast approaching, the DDA is focused on obtaining signature sponsors for its Beautification program and Farmers and Artisans Market, which runs from June to October.

“Beautification is technically year-round, with those five being the heavy months,” said Kenzie Williamsen, DDA event coordinator.

The DDA budgets more than $12,000 a year for beautification that goes toward the costs of plants, soil, maintenance and labor to water throughout the entire season.

They coordinate the planting and maintaining of 48 sidewalk planters, 40 hanging baskets, as well as 12 small “pocket” gardens throughout the downtown.

Volunteers will start work in mid-May to gather materials and assemble the flower baskets. After June 1, they will begin to plant the flowers throughout the designated areas.

“If you look around town now, you know something is missing — it’s the flowers,” she said. “They bring the downtown to life during the summer months.”

McCauley noted they would eventually like to extend its beautification further; however, that would require additional funding.

“The $5,000 beautification sponsorship will assist with additional plantings and replacement of planters and equipment as needed during the season,” he said.

Securing a signature sponsor will also allow them to expand fall decorations, Williamsen added.

Another way to contribute is by purchasing limited-edition T. Jazelle IM Downtown bracelets at Erickson Jewelers in Iron Mountain or flower-inspired IM Downtown T-shirt that can be purchased at the DDA office in the Iron Mountain City Hall building.

The DDA took over the Farmers and Artisans Market last year, putting additional resources into growing the event. “It turned out very well,” McCauley said.

The $5,000 signature sponsorship funds having a market manager and advertising. This year they hope to hire a person to be onsite throughout the summer.

“Although it isn’t classified as a festival, it really is because it runs for 20 Saturdays of the summer,” McCauley said, noting it drew in about 200 people each week.

“It’s attracting people to the downtown, which is great,” he said. “After visiting the vendors at the market, they will shop the downtown businesses and stop to have lunch.”

With sponsorship support of the market, they will look at facility upgrades, new signage and information cards.

The DDA received a $500 grant from the Dickinson Area Community Foundation last year for a new sound system that lets them feature live music on Saturdays.

“Getting these two signature sponsor spots filled is very important,” Williamsen said. “Without them, funds will have to be pulled from other programs.”

The hub of the majority of the activities is the Downtown Stage, a prime location to promote businesses or organizations to visitors, they noted.

“This gives a chance to give those sponsors valuable exposure,” McCauley said.

All major festival signature sponsors are returning for the 2024 season, and almost all music support sponsors slots are filled. Oktoberfest is the only music sponsorship currently available.

Signature and music sponsors for Out to Lunch, which kicks off June 6, have also been filled.

However, numerous other sponsorship tiers remain available for each of these events and festivals, they said. To see a full list, go to the DDA website at downtownironmountain.com.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to get involved in any of the programs and events; it’s not just limited to larger businesses or organizations — anyone in the community,” McCauley said.

The DDA also welcomes any donations for its programs at the DDA office at 501 S. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can contact the DDA office at 906-774-8534 or email programs@downtownironmountain.com or events@downtownironmountain.com.