“Full Steam Ahead” is Main Street Lansing motto for 2016-2017
“Full Steam Ahead!” That’s Main Street Lansing’s motto going into 2016 and 2017. Main Street Lansing plans to continue with its successful programs and events such as Winterfest, which even with spring-like temperatures earlier this year doubled its participation from last year. New events include the Peak to Peak Leaf Tour, the Scarecrow Contest and the Driftless Area Biggest Pumpkin Contest, which will be in partnership with TASC of Waukon.
Also moving full steam ahead is a project that will have a lasting impact much further than Lansing, the Allamakee County Conservation Foundation’s Driftless Education and Visitor Center. This development is anticipated to bring increased tourism as people from near and far come to Lansing to learn about the Driftless geography, animal life and history.
The year 2016 will also move full steam ahead to 2017, when Lansing will celebrate its 150th anniversary. Preparations will soon begin for a year-long celebration of Lansing in 2017. Main Street Lansing has formed a Main Street History Committee. Shirley Darling and John Rethwisch have agreed to work on the committee, and anyone who would like to help is encouraged to sign up by contacting the Main Street Lansing office at director@lansingmatters.com or by phone at 563-538-9229.
The first task of the History Committee involves a grant Main Street Lansing has received from the Allamakee County Community Foundation and the Willard and Arlene Kerndt family to produce six educational podiums for Lansing’s historic district, designated a National Historic District in 2014. In applying for the grant, the group modeled the podiums after the historic podiums in downtown Decorah. Lansing’s podiums will feature the historic storefronts, the Black Hawk Bridge, and the grain elevators and the fish house on the river. The Main Street History Committee will produce the graphics and copy for the podiums. The podiums will be fabricated this year and then will be installed in the spring of 2017.
The History Committee will also work on pulling together displays about Lansing’s past which will be on public display. The group would like to use the first floor of the Old Stone Schoolhouse as the display area. That building will be evaluated this spring as to suitability.
Financially supporting Main Street Lansing makes these projects a reality. Main Street Lansing is beginning its annual fund raising campaign, also entitled “Full Steam Ahead.” Those wishing to donate may send contributions to Main Street Lansing, P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA 52151. All donations are tax deductible. Donations may also be made online at www.mainstreetlansing.com.
