Silos & Smokestacks Grand Opening & Picnic This Sunday

Agriculture and Iowa go hand-in-hand and it's time to salute that relationship as Silos & Smokestacks celebrates their 25th anniversary with a grand opening celebration at the new Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area's headquarters, located at 305 W. Park Avenue in downtown Waterloo.

The event is this Sunday, August 1st. The first 25 visitors through the door at the headquarters will receive a free gift. A picnic will be held across the street at the Riverloop Expo Plaza, from 1-3 p.m. featuring music by the Tank Anthony Band, yard games, exhibits, and a special appearance by "Gucci the Cow" from the Tik Tok app.

SSNHA is committed to continuing to tell the story of American agriculture

According to a press release, in conjunction with its anniversary, their staff will hit the road August 2-7 for a series of formal signing ceremonies renewing partnerships with heritage area sites and attractions. Celebrating its partnerships with museums, farms, and historic sites throughout the 37 county heritage area.

The first partnership signing ceremony will take place this Sunday during their grand opening. Subsequent stops will be at 10 a.m. and include:

Aug. 2: Harriman Nielsen Historic Farm, Hampton
Aug. 3: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah
Aug. 4: National Mississippi River Museum, Dubuque
Aug. 5: African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids
Aug. 7: Living History Farms, Urbandale

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*Originally published May 10, 2021*

Silos & Smokestacks Celebrates 25 Years-Visit NE Iowa Sites, Win a Prize

You couldn't more adequately describe the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area's rise more appropriately than these two words, "silos and smokestacks". Over the years, you've had the smokestacks billowing from the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company, the Rath Packing Plant, and the mighty John Deere, among others. Pair that with northeast Iowa being home to some of the most bountiful farm land in the world and you've got the perfect name to describe both the farms and industries that constitute agribusiness.

Silos & Smokestacks background

On the heels of coming off the 1980's farm crisis, the program originally began in 1991 as an economic revitalization program for downtown Waterloo The organization would quickly realize its need to expand to include the variety of resources beyond the city limits. In 1996, Silos & Smokestacks was congressionally designated as Iowa's only National Heritage Area.

The story of American agriculture comes to life at more than 115 sites and attractions in a 37-county region of northeast Iowa. In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) area travelers are invited to participate in the Silos & Smokestacks Stamp Challenge.

Have fun this spring/summer visiting NE Iowa attractions

According to a press release: each partner site has a personalized 25th Anniversary Stamp. Visitors can get their SSNHA Visitor Guide stamped in the special two page center spread of the 25th Anniversary Edition. The first 25 visitors to get their guide stamped by 25 different sites in 2021 will receive a prize.

A few examples of fun things you can do and see

Visit a working farm, relax at a Bed & Breakfast, or samples wines at a winery. Choose from dozens of museums and parks, nature centers, and recreation areas. Along with historic sites, scenic routes, fairs, and more.

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Check out the Silos & Smokestacks' website for a complete list of area attractions.

Visitor guides can be picked up at any one of SSNHAs partner sites, or at the heritage area headquarters, 305 W. Park Ave., Waterloo.

Courtesy - Silos & Smokestacks

Farmers Markets in the Cedar Valley & NE Iowa - List

There's a Farmers Market in Waterloo, Cedar Falls or in the surrounding area almost every day of the week! Check 'em out and support your friends and neighbors. Buy Fresh - Buy Local

OPINION - This Cedar Valley Eyesore Needs To Be Demolished

In its heyday, the Rath Packing Company employed 8,500 people. It's still thought of fondly by many as what helped put Waterloo "on the map" and giving many area families a good income to raise their families. When rumors of bankruptcy started in 1979, the company became employee-owned in 1980. Despite many attempts to save it and massive amounts of money invested (from employees and loans from the city of Waterloo) all of those efforts ultimately failed, leading to its demise and liquidation in 1985.