Photos by Deb Gau Lexi Mead and Amy Mead were among the people browsing outdoor Crazy Days displays on Main Street and Third Street on Thursday afternoon. While there were some changes to the number of vendors at this year’s Crazy Days, traditional parts of the event like closing parts of Main and Third streets for pedestrians were still going on.

MARSHALL — Marshall has seen a lot of its community events get put on hold this year due to COVID-19. But in a summer without city band concerts, the Festival of Kites or Sounds of Summer, Thursday was a little more like normal.

Local businesses put up outdoor displays and encouraged people to come shop Crazy Days.

The crowds weren’t huge on Main Street in the early afternoon, but a pretty steady stream of people were browsing the stands. Jen Boklep said Crazy Days offered a “perfect” chance to go visit the Lyon County Museum.

“The kids hadn’t been to the museum,” Boklep said, plus on Thursday the museum was offering a special on Schwan’s ice cream treats. After enjoying some ice cream, Boklep, together with Harper Boklep, Sienna Chepa and Austin Chepa, were “just cruising” and checking out the store displays on Main Street.

A lot of familiar things about Crazy Days were back this year – Main Street and part of Third Street downtown were blocked off to traffic, and people could browse outdoor displays and sales at local stores. However, there were some changes. This year, there were no outside vendors downtown for the event.

“It gives people more room to spread out,” and follow social distancing, said Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Gruhot. Having extra space and no outside vendors could also give local businesses more of a chance for special displays or activities. At the same time, Gruhot said, “It was kind of a tough call.” Vendors can help add to the attraction for people to visit.

“We weren’t sure what to expect,” but things were going well, said Justina Parks, as she greeted shoppers outside Bot Appliance and 405 Loft on Main Street. “It’s been a beautiful day,” she said, and people had been coming by to shop.

Some of the people checking out Crazy Days deals said Thursday was their first time visiting the event. Amy and Lexi Mead said they hadn’t had a chance to go to Crazy Days in the past.

“Usually we’re on vacation,” Lexi said. She said checking out the displays at downtown shops was “pretty cool” so far.