(Avoca) The City of Avoca and American Legion Post #227 will host “The Heart of Avoca: Celebrating Progress & Shaping Our Future” on Wednesday, October 14. The event will include the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated Avoca Veterans Community Center and The Post Legion Pub, along with the community’s 2026 First Impressions Community Forum.
Avoca City Administrator Shawna Silvius says the evening’s focus is twofold. One is for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a celebration of the newly renovated Avoca Veterans Community Center and The Post Legion Pub, located at 112 and 106 North Elm Street in downtown Avoca starting at 5:00 p.m. Silvius says the renovation represents a significant investment in downtown Avoca, supported by local donors, regional foundations, including the Iowa West Foundation and the Schultz Family, the American Legion, the City of Avoca and other community partners.
And the second event…?
Silvius says Avoca was one of five Iowa communities selected for the 2026 First Impressions Program, a partnership between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development and Travel Iowa/Iowa Tourism. Over the past six months, anonymous visitors evaluated Avoca from an outsider’s perspective, examining community amenities, appearance, signage, culture, hospitality, customer service and the overall visitor experience. Silvius says during the forum, Iowa State University representatives will share the visitors’ findings and recommendations and discuss opportunities for residents to participate in future efforts. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their perspectives and identify additional ways to improve Avoca’s experience for visitors and residents.
The event is open to community members, county and state leaders, businesses, residents, investors, partners, engineering and construction team members, and others interested in Avoca’s future. Avoca Jr. Federated and the Masons will serve a pasta and dessert dinner at 5:30 p.m. for registered First Impressions participants. The First Impressions Community Forum will begin at 6 p.m.
Please register by noon today to attend any or all of the festivities at cityofavoca.com/news.
The event will celebrate progress made through community partnerships and bring residents and other stakeholders together to help shape Avoca’s future.
