RAGBRAI Dollars Fund New Town Square Sound System

Dozens of new lighted starbursts aren’t the only addition to Glenwood’s Town Square this holiday season.

Sounds of the holiday season can be heard all around the square again thanks to a new public speaker and sound system installed in November. The additional holiday lights and sound system were both purchased with funds generated by the Glenwood RAGBRAI Committee.

The speakers, installed by Nebraska Furniture Mart, are part of a state-of-the-art sound system that replaced outdated speakers purchased with RAGBRAI dollars in 2011. The new speakers have been installed on multiple light poles around Town Square.

The new system not only has the capability of playing music, but can also be used for announcements during special events and for advertising purposes. The Mills County Chamber of Commerce and City Hall staff have the software to operate the system.

“I just log into a website and set the music for the week,” MCCC Executive Director Gitzy Loder said.

Music is played daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (later on weekends). Although this month, it’s primarily holiday music being played, come January, business owners, shoppers and residents on the square can expect to hear a variety – maybe a little country, easy listening or soft jazz.

“I’ll get input from the (chamber) board on the music that should be played,” Loder said.

Loder said the response to the new sound system has been positive.

“We’ve heard comments and they love it,” she said. “They love the small town feel and they love the music.”