File photo
Shoppers look over the deals during Crazy Days in downtown Marshall on July 20, 2023. Retailers will once again offer merchandise on Main Street on Thursday.

MARSHALL – The 2024 Crazy Days is back to bring activities, food, deals and shopping to town on Thursday, July 18.

The event will take place on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic for the day, downtown from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is free to the public. Hosted by the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, people can expect food trucks, deals from nearby restaurants and shopping vendors, kids activities and entertainment throughout the day. Thursdays on Third, a farmers market with live music, will also be held during the same evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“I love to see the community all together,” event coordinator Mavi Valentin said. “I love the craziness of Crazy Days, you know, like having all the movement and activities everywhere.”

The stores and restaurants located on Main Street will also be offering shopping and activities.

“All vendors and the downtown businesses set up outside, so we are all going to be on the street,” Valentin said. “They all have crazy deals.”

There is a significant increase of vendors this year compared to last year.

In addition to the deals, there are a handful of family activities going on throughout the day as well. There will be arts, crafts and a petting zoo 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The kiddie parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and a candy drop will take place at 3:30 p.m.

“It’s super fun for the kids,” Valentin said. “Right after the kiddie parade is done, they end right here on the terrace, there’s a dance party for the kids with popsicles. Last year, it was a big hit. It was super cute.”

The weather for Crazy Days is currently promising, predicting the day to be around 78 degrees and mostly sunny. New announcements will be posted to the event’s official Facebook page.

“I would say they (people going) need to check out every single vendor,” Valentin said. “We have very different ones this year. I am super excited to see what they are going to bring in.”