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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- This coming Friday and Saturday are going to be a shoppers dream in Iowa.

Once again, the state is holding its annual tax-free weekend. What you need to know is that you can purchase items under $100, like clothing and shoes, tax-free.

The weekend is a win – win for both small businesses and the city itself.

“I think the local option sales tax, the state sales tax, not being charged for those two days, coming up this Friday and Saturday, August 3^rd and 4^th, for the full 24 hour period, is going to help encourage more people to shop for clothing and shoes that cost less than $100. These businesses also contribute to a lot of the charities and other community events, in addition to paying taxes. So they are fully participating in a lot of things in the community and they need and deserve our support,” said Joe Helfenberger, City Administrator for the City of Ottumwa.

Even with the tax-free weekend coming up, Helfenberger is urging all Ottumwans to shop locally anytime; being that the local option sales tax that is in place goes back to the city, supporting road and sewer improvements throughout the town.