Marshalltown Milestones

Sound and Light Show Promotional Materials

Poster in pdf format - you may print and distribute this poster as you like

Tri-Fold Brochure in pdf format - This is not the best copy available to use but you you may print and distribute this poster as you like. If you want a higher quality copy please contact us.

Promotional News Releases - you may copy and paste these materials into your document to promote the show

You are invited to attend a unique sound a light show entitled "Marshalltown Milestones." It will be presented on Friday, September 26 at 8:30 P.M., and on Saturday, September 27, 2003, at 7:30 P.M. on the Courthouse lawn. This event is the finale to Marshalltown's Sesquicentennial celebration. The presentation will last about an hour and one quarter. The general public is invited to attend without charge.

What will the audience experience? The Courthouse lawn will become an outdoor theater, with the Courthouse as its screen. Set to music, the facade of the building will be brilliantly illuminated with changing colors and intensities of light. The script is a taped narrative of many voices. Live pantomime actors, window silhouettes, large video screens, and other special effects are used to animate the 150-year history of Marshalltown. The Courthouse will literally come alive before its audience!

The show is conceived, designed, and produced by Mick Jurgensen, Principal at Rogers Elementary School. The script is written by local historian Dorothy Apgar. Mick was in Philadelphia to witness the sound and light show at Independence Hall in 1976. He has since produced three sound and light shows. A show entitled "In Thy Halls Assembled Here" centered much of its attention on the Old Main building on the Iowa Wesleyan College campus in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. It was first presented in 1983, when he was a student at Iowa Wesleyan.

Witness the 150-year history of Marshalltown come alive as it is recreated in a unique sound and light show on Friday, September 26, at 8:30 P.M., and on Saturday, September 27, 2003, at 7:30 P.M. on the Courthouse lawn. This event is the finale to Marshalltown's Sesquicentennial celebration. The general public is invited to attend without charge. The presentation will last about an hour and one quarter.

Sound and Light Shows have been presented at the Louvre in Paris, the Coliseum in Rome, and the Pyramids in Egypt. Similar shows took place at the United States Capitol and at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, during the Bicentennial Year.

"Marshalltown Milestones" presents the history of the City through the eyes of the Old Courthouse. The Courthouse lawn will become an outdoor theater, with the Courthouse as its screen. The facade of the building will be brilliantly illuminated with changing colors and intensities of light. Live pantomime actors and a taped narrative of many familiar voices will bring to life scenes from history against a background of sound effects and music, both choral and instrumental. Window silhouettes, large video screens and other special effects are used to animate the history of Marshalltown. The Courthouse will literally come alive before its audience!

The show is conceived, designed, and produced by Mick Jurgensen, Principal at Rogers Elementary School. The script is written by local historian Dorothy Apgar. Mick was in Philadelphia to witness the sound and light show at Independence Hall in 1976. He has since produced three sound and light shows. A show entitled "In Thy Halls Assembled Here" centered much of its attention on the Old Main building on the Iowa Wesleyan College campus in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. It was first presented in 1983, when he was a student at Iowa Wesleyan; in 1985, for Mt. Pleasant's Sesquicentennial; and again in 1992, for the Sesquicentennial of the College.

You are invited to attend ”Marshalltown Milestones,” a unique sound and light show. This first-time event is the grand finale to Marshalltown’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. The extravaganza will be staged on the Old Courthouse lawn. The presentation will last about an hour and a quarter. Bring your family and your lawn chairs. Admission is free! Show times are Friday, September 26, at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. The raindate is Sunday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m.

The mastermind of the show is Dr. Mick Jurgensen, Principal at Rogers Elementary School. Mick’s devotion to sound and light shows began in 1976, our Nation’s Bicentennial year, when he witnessed Independence Hall come alive with its colorful history. Since that time, he has produced three sound and light shows. The first in 1983, “In Thy Halls Assembled Here” focused on the Old Main building on the Iowa Wesleyan College campus. He staged return performances in 1985 for Mt. Pleasant’s Sesquicentennial and in 1992 for the Sesquicentennial of the College.

The script, written by local historian Dorothy Apgar, depicts the timeline of key events in the 150-year history of Marshalltown. It captures the life and times of the community and their leaders and the obstacles they overcame through war, peace, depression, and prosperity. A strong commitment to good citizenship and entrepreneurship has kept Marshalltown alive since 1853.

The soundtrack of the script was recorded by a large cast of community members, selected for their vocal variety and/or their ability to portray significant individuals. A special effort was made to allow public recognition of voices, representing local leaders of government, business, and education. Everyone in the community, including school children, should be able to recognize a voice in the presentation.

The “spirit” of the Old Courthouse comes alive as historic moments unfold in chronological order. Throughout the performance, you are drawn into these cameo events as they are animated by groups or individuals stepping forth to tell their stories, as conversation pours from large window silhouettes, and as historic photographs are displayed on huge video screens. Choral and instrumental music enhance some sequences, while dramatic and powerful lighting illuminates the face of the courthouse with spectacular color and effects.