LACES

07/13/2026

It’s complete! Artist Jenna Brownlee did an amazing job capturing our spirit, community & growth. Be sure to stop in Shop Historic Independence and check out this stunning artwork in person!

07/11/2026

Stop by the Independence Farmers Market today & enjoy some live music by The McBrides!

They are generously donating their tip jar to the Light the Dam Project! 🎶

07/09/2026

It’s Shop Late on Thursdays til’ 7! In July at the merchants below and 10% of sales will go to Light the Dam!

07/09/2026

We are loving the progress so far!

🎨 Artist Jenna Brownlee

🎨 Day 2 is complete, and it's exciting to watch this mural come to life!

A special thank you to LACES for partnering with us on this project and helping bring this art to downtown Independence. We're grateful for your support as this mural continues to take shape.

Stay tuned for more progress! ✨

07/07/2026

Something exciting is happening in town and we can’t wait to watch it come to life!

Be sure to check out the progress as the mural grows day by day. It’s more than just paint on a wall, it’s a celebration of our community, creativity and hometown pride!

Who’s excited to watch this masterpiece come to life?! Drop a 🎨 in the comments if you’ll be following along!

07/01/2026

A new month means a new chance to enjoy our Second Saturday Series 🎶

Join us Saturday, July 11 at the Independence Farmers Market. The McBrides will take the stage at 9am!

06/30/2026

Shop late on Thursdays til’ 7 in July at the merchants below and 10% of sales will go to Light the Dam!

06/28/2026

New art exhibit at Em's Coffee Co. by artist Jen Kemps. Be sure to stop down & check it out! Thank you to our friends at Steve Brown Art Center for sponsoring!

The Steve Brown Art Center is proud to be sponsoring the Jen Kemps art exhibition at Em’s Coffee the month of July.

06/13/2026

BrassBlast Brass Band is live at the Independence Farmers Market 🎶

06/11/2026

We've received a lot of great questions about the 'Light the Dam', and we're excited to share more information about this community initiative. The project aims to highlight one of Independence's most iconic landmarks, create a vibrant focal point for residents and visitors, and provide opportunities to celebrate holidays, recognize important causes, and showcase community pride throughout the year.

Here are answers to some of the questions we've received:

💡 Could the lights be used for awareness months as well?
Absolutely! We plan to keep the lights on throughout the year and look forward to raising awareness, celebrating holidays, recognizing important causes, and lighting up Independence in meaningful ways.

💰 What is the total cost of the project?
The total cost of the project is $43,000, which will be raised through donations, sponsorships, and grants.

🤝 Who can I contact about sponsorship opportunities?
Anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact LACES, the Independence Area Chamber of Commerce, or Buchanan County Tourism for additional information.

🚴 Will the lighting be installed before RAGBRAI comes through?
Unfortunately, no. Once funding has been secured, installation is expected to take approximately 6–8 weeks.

🏛️ Does this take away from the history of downtown?
No. The goal of the project is to highlight and enhance one of Independence's most recognizable landmarks while respecting the character and history of downtown. The lighting is intended to showcase the dam in a tasteful way that complements the community's historic charm rather than changing it.

🏠 Is this project being led locally?
Yes. LACES is the local organization leading the project in partnership with the Independence Area Chamber of Commerce and Buchanan County Tourism.

🙌 How can I get involved?
There are several ways to support the Light the Dam Fund. You can donate your pop cans by dropping them off at The Trendy Tulip during June.
Make a donation online at https://www.cfneia.org/donations/light-the-dam-fund/ or mail a check to:
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa
3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.

Please make checks payable to the Light the Dam Fund.
Every contribution helps bring this community project to life.

Have additional questions? Drop them in the comments below and we'll be happy to answer them.