You’re Invited: Honoring Our History. Celebrating Our Future.
Join the City of Avoca and Fred Funston American Legion Post #227 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Avoca Veterans Community Center and The Post Legion Pub!
This iconic downtown gathering place holds generations of memories. Built as the Harris Theatre in 1929, it became the American Legion Hall in 1968 and has welcomed countless celebrations, reunions, fundraisers and community gatherings.
The City took possession of the former Avoca Legion Hall at 112 N. Elm Street in July 2022, followed by the adjoining property at 106 N. Elm Street in February 2024—an addition made possible through generous contributions from the Schultz family and other donors. Together, these properties now house the Avoca Veterans Community Center (AVCC) and The Post Legion Pub. The Post Pub will be leased and operated by American Legion Post #227, preserving the Legion’s longstanding connection to this special place, while Scouts and other Legion-affiliated groups will continue to meet at the AVCC.
This renewed space expands opportunities for the entire community and surrounding region, providing a welcoming venue for City and Main Street events, Holidays on Main activities, civic gatherings, county informational programs, regional and state planning meetings, training workshops, private family celebrations and business events. It is an investment in preserving our heritage, strengthening community connections and creating new opportunities for generations to come.
Years of planning, fundraising and collaboration—carried forward through changes in leadership—have brought us to this moment. This remarkable renovation honors our veterans, preserves our history and creates an incredible amenity for Avoca and the surrounding area. Together, we are preparing a cherished gathering place for the next 100 years of connection, celebration and community life.
This transformation would not have been possible without the generous contributions of the Schultz family, local and regional donors, the Iowa West Foundation, the American Legion and the City of Avoca, the Franks Design Group, Kelcon, Inc., the Community Center Advisory Commission, and many more. During the ceremony, we will recognize the people and partners whose generosity, vision and dedication helped bring this project to life.
Everyone is welcome! We especially invite residents; past and current Legion members and their families; donors; past and current city and county officials; community leaders; civic groups; board and committee members; Avoca Main Street; businesses; youth and families; and the planners, designers, contractors, volunteers and others involved in the project. Whether you hold fond memories of this building or are stepping inside for the first time, you belong in this celebration.
Wednesday, October 14 | Downtown Avoca
Avoca Veterans Community Center, 112 N. Elm Street
The Post Legion Pub, 106 N. Elm Street
5 p.m. — Grand Opening Welcome and Recognition
5:15 p.m. — Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
5:30 p.m. — Dinner for First Impressions program participants, provided by Avoca Masons and Jr. Federated
6 p.m. — First Impressions Community Forum, featuring visitor feedback and a community conversation with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Travel Iowa
Come celebrate our progress, reconnect with neighbors and help shape our future. Bring your memories—and your hopes for what comes next!
Staying for dinner and the First Impressions program? REGISTER HERE AND SAVE YOUR SEAT by end of the day, Monday, October 12.