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Home My WebLink AboutA012 - Requests from The Grand Drives, LLC for Campustown Showdown on April 25, 2026ITEM #:14 DATE:03-24-26 DEPT:ADMIN SUBJECT:REQUESTS FOR CAMPUSTOWN SHOWDOWN COUNCIL ACTION FORM BACKGROUND: The Grand Drives, LLC is requesting to hold its second annual cattle show in Campustown on Sunday, April 26, 2025. Event organizers have held the same model of annual event in Manhattan, Kansas since 2021. The purpose of the show is to celebrate American beef producers, while advancing exhibitors’ and the public’s knowledge about the livestock industry. The event consists of activities in two areas: 1) a cattle show will take place in the Hansen Agricultural Student Learning Center, and 2) a grand drive (a show of selected cattle in different categories) will occur on the 200-block of Welch Avenue in Campustown. For the grand drive, a portion of the street will be used for vendors, a stage featuring live music and a fashion show, and the show arena. An area of Welch Avenue south of Hunt Street will be used for loading and unloading cattle from the trailers that transport them to and from the Hansen Center. Only six animals will be in the show arena at a time. The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude by 11:00 p.m., with clean-up complete by 11:45 p.m. Organizers indicated that carpeting will be placed on the street in the show arena. Once the show concludes, the carpeting will be rolled up and transported offsite for cleanup. The applicant is requesting closure of Welch Avenue from approximately 100 feet south of Chamberlain Street to Knapp Street, and Hunt Street from Chamberlain Place to Welch Avenue, between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. on April 25, 2026. Local traffic will be facilitated into and out of the route that is closed for trailering the animals at times when loading and unloading are not actively occurring. The event requires the closure of 30 parking meters which results in an estimated loss to the Parking Fund of $150. Applicants are also requesting a blanket Vending License ($50). The applicant will be required to pay for these costs. PUBLIC OUTREACH: The event has received a letter of support from the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. Event organizers indicated that they will send emails, as well as provide information door-to-door to affected businesses regarding the event plans. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the requests for the Campustown Showdown as described above. 2. Do not approve the requests. 1 CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Campustown Showdown provides an opportunity to attract visitors to the Campustown District for a unique experience. The events include a cattle show, fashion show, live music, and local vendors. The applicant has provided all necessary documentation supporting their requests. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as described above. ATTACHMENT(S): LOS Campustown Showdown Event .pdf Campustown Showdown Application Site Map - Campustown Showdown.pdf 2 January 26, 2026 John Haila, Mayor City of Ames 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 RE: Campustown Showdown Event Permit Request Mayor Haila, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for The Grand Drives, LLC's Campustown Showdown event scheduled for Friday, April 24th to Saturday, April 25th, 2026. I believe that this unique event will bring immense value to our community and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of Campustown. The proposed event, set to take place on the streets of Campustown, particularly the 200 block of Welch Avenue and Hunt Street between Chamberlain Place and Welch Ave, promises to be an exciting and engaging experience for residents and visitors alike. The planned activities, such as the Cattle Show (Grand March), Fashion Show, Vendors, Beer Garden, and Music, showcase a diverse range of attractions that will undoubtedly appeal to a broad audience. One aspect that stands out is the effort to educate the community on agriculture. The inclusion of educational components aligns with our city's commitment to fostering awareness and understanding of various industries, and it reflects positively on the organizers' dedication to providing a well-rounded experience for attendees. Furthermore, I appreciate The Grand Drives, LLC's decision to extend the event's impact beyond the streets of Campustown by hosting related events at the Hansen Ag Center on the day before and after the Campustown Showdown. This demonstrates a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to community engagement and involvement. The Campustown Showdown has the potential to showcase our city in a positive light, attract visitors, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. I respectfully request 3 that you grant the necessary event permit for the Campustown Showdown, and I look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on our community. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Dan A. Culhane President & CEO dan@amesalliance.com (515) 232-2310 4 Special Event Application Submitted on 5 February 2026, 12:43PM Receipt number 4 Related form version 2 Name Christian Calliham Organization The Grand Drives, LLC Email Address christianc@thegranddrives.com Phone Number 785-443-1569 Street Address 1121 Zeandale Rd City/State/Zip Manhattan, KS 66502 Item 1 Name Celine Beggs-Shoemaker Email Address celines@thegranddrives.com Phone Number 641-344-8209 Item 2 Name Email Address Phone Number Event Organizer Information Additional Responsible Parties Event Name Campustown Showdown Date 04/25/2026 If your event is more than one day, please specify date range. Location/Address Welch Ave - Chamberlain St. to Knapp St. Event Details 1 of 6 5 Rain Date (if applicable)04/25/2026 Rain Location (if applicable)Hansen Ag Center (Iowa State) Upload the event site plan here:Campustown Showdown - 2026 Special Event Site Map .docx.pdf Is this an annual event?Yes How many years?2 Region Campustown District Upload your letter of support from CAA here.LoS Campustown Showdown Event Permit 012626.pdf Upload your letter of support from ISU here. Upload your letter of support from Ames Main Street here. Please explain: Timeline Setup will begin at 11 a.m. with the event starting at 6:30 p.m. The event will end around 11 p.m. and teardown will conclude at 11:45 p.m. Description of Event Activities Grand drive event for national cattle show. The grand drive, selection of champion market and breeding heifers, will occur within a confined area and created by a temporary panel/gate system. Additionally, live music and a fashion show will take place on a stage near the paneled arena. Event Category Festival/Celebration Parade/Procession/March Is the event open to the public?Yes Anticipated Daily Attendance 800 Audience Profile The general public as an opportunity to educate them about the cattle industry. Is your event being held in conjunction with another event? (e.g. Farmers' Market, 4th of July etc.) Yes Please list.The rest of the show will take place at the Hansen Ag Center Organization Status For-Profit Are patron admission, entry, or paricipant fees required?No Percentage of net proceeds going towards fundraising: Percentage of net proceeds going towards for-profit entity: Are vendor or other fees required?Yes 2 of 6 6 Special Event Site Plan Campustown Showdown – Cattle Show April 25, 2026 Welch Avenue between Hunt Street and Campustown Lot T will be open to the public during the event. This includes the area in front of the Blue Owl Bar and Welch Avenue Station. Hunt Street from Chamberlain Pl. to Welch Avenue will be used for trailer traffic only. Vendors will be lined next to the curb on both the east and west side of Welch Ave., with dedicated 10’ X 10’ spaces. Campustown Staff will ensure 20’ space between vendors will allow for emergency vehicles if necessary. Trailers will unload at the corner of Hunt St. and Welch Ave. and then staged at the parking meters on Welch Ave., south of the business district area. Cattle will be shuttled from the Hansen Center to Campustown one division at a time. This means only the top six animals of one species will be in the show arena at a time. (See Map on Page 2.) 7 Special Event Site Plan Campustown Showdown – Cattle Show April 25, 2026 8