The City of Avoca and the Fred Funston American Legion #227, invite residents, businesses, community leaders, city/county/state officials and leaders, investors, resource partners, project vendors, and friends of Avoca to come together Wednesday, October 14, for The Heart of Avoca: Celebrating Progress & Shaping Our Future, an evening designed to do both: celebrate a significant community accomplishment and engage citizens in helping shape what comes next.
The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the newly renovated Avoca Veterans Community Center and The Post Legion Pub, located at 112 and 106 N. Elm Street in downtown Avoca.
The completed renovation represents a significant investment in the heart of the community and was made possible through the generosity, vision and collaboration of many partners, including local donors, regional foundations—including the Iowa West Foundation—the Schultz Family, the American Legion, the City of Avoca and numerous other organizations and individuals.
Attendees of the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting are invited to tour the renovated facilities and help celebrate the completion of a project designed to serve Avoca residents, veterans, organizations and visitors for years to come. Self-guided tours will follow the Ribbon Cutting ceremony and last until the First Impression Program begins at 6:00 p.m.
Following the ribbon cutting, a pasta and dessert dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. compliments of the Avoca Jr. Federated and the Avoca Masons for those registered to participate in the First Impressions Community Forum. Registration is required.
At 6:00 p.m., the focus will shift from celebrating Avoca’s progress to helping shape its future with the Avoca First Impressions Community Forum.
Avoca was one of just five Iowa communities selected to participate in 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 have experienced Avoca through the eyes of someone encountering the community for the first time. Their visits examined a variety of factors that influence how residents and visitors experience a community, including amenities, appearance, signage, culture, hospitality, customer service and overall impressions.
On October 14, Iowa State University will share the visitors’ findings and recommendations and discuss how community members can engage with these efforts moving forward.
But the evening is intended to be more than a presentation.
Participants will have an opportunity to add their own perspectives and local knowledge to the findings, explore key themes and help identify additional opportunities that can strengthen and enhance Avoca as a place to live, work, visit and invest.
The input gathered through the forum can help the City of Avoca, Avoca Main Street, Avoca Betterment Association, and other community partners turn the First Impressions findings into meaningful next steps and future action.
One Evening. Two Important Opportunities.
The October 14 event brings together two important moments for Avoca: an opportunity to celebrate a major community investment made possible through partnership and an opportunity for citizens to help guide continued progress.
Register and Join us, Wednesday, October 14, 2026
5:00 p.m. — Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, Avoca Veterans Community Center and The Post Legion Pub, 112 & 106 N. Elm Street
5:30 p.m. — Pasta & Dessert Dinner by Avoca Jr. Federated and the Masons for registered First Impressions participants
6:00 p.m. — Avoca First Impressions Community Forum
Community leaders, businesses and interested residents are encouraged to attend any or all of the festivities. Registration is required by noon Monday, October 12. Click here to register.
Come celebrate our progress. Share your perspective. Help shape Avoca’s next chapter.