The Week in Social rounds up the best of Iowa’s uplifting stories, exciting initiatives and fun events from all 99 counties discovered through social media. In a time where every bit of good news is cherished, this series is devoted to being a fun, lighthearted way to stay informed about Iowa’s good news.
Take a Cheesy Adventure
When the weather warms up, plan a trip to Iowa to check out the #Cheese Trail. Get up close with baby goats and sheep and cows and taste award-winning cheeses from 14 dairies. @Travel_Iowa #cheeseLoversDay #foodies https://t.co/0hux5tfGWG
— MidwestTravelJournalists (@J1Midwest) January 20, 2022
If you consider yourself a dairy connoisseur, you won’t want to miss a trip on Iowa’s Cheese Trail. Get ready to step up your charcuterie board with Doe’s & Diva’s Dairy cheese aged in Templeton Rye barrels. Frisian Farms provides cheese lovers with the opportunity to view their artisanal cheese-making process up close and also distributes mouthwatering samples. Honey Creek Creamery is home to three nationally award-winning cheeses. To finish off the trip, visit WW Homestead Dairy, “the Cheese Curd Capital of Iowa.”
Visit the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball
Happy #NationalPopcornDay! Best way to celebrate - #roadtrip to @Travel_Iowa to see the world's largest popcorn ball in Sac City. 9,370-pound, 8+ feet tall pic.twitter.com/JHYh2NGtN9
— MidwestTravelJournalists (@J1Midwest) January 19, 2022
How did Sac City become home to the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball? It took 2,300 pounds of popcorn, 16 hours of non-stop work and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to celebrating the popcorn industry in Sac County. To construct the ball, a bowl-shaped mold was created to cradle the ball and to keep it from deteriorating. Next, workers from Noble Popcorn used 2,500 pounds of dry syrup mix and 4,900 pounds of sugar combined with the popcorn to create the batches that would shape the over 8-foot-tall ball. Today, visitors can visit the iconic ball and see historical items and buildings by visiting the Sac City Museum Village.
Restoring Some Movie Magic
When mother-daughter duo Marianne and Rebecca Fons learned that the beloved theater, The Iowa, in Winterset closed, they decided to take action to help restore a bit of magic in the town. The pair saved the dilapidated structure and brought the 150-seat theater back to life. Today, the historic site thrives as the community enjoys the theater’s high ceiling, inlay designs, concession stand and marquee.
“Our philosophy was the idea that you can either move to a better town or make your own town better,” said Marianne Fons. “When everyone sees investment in the community, they follow suit.”
Plan a Trip with the Quad Cities Guide
Let us guide you through the Quad Cities!
— Quad Cities (@VisitQuadCities) January 16, 2022
Flip through the pages of our virtual 2022 Destination Guide and get a taste of the activities and adventures the QC has to offer -- https://t.co/CT20u51B24#VisitQuadCities pic.twitter.com/Etbckf1ZPu
Whether you are a first-time visitor to the Quad Cities or a long-time local, the 2022 Destination Guide features some of the best activities and adventures to experience on the Mississippi riverfront. The guide provides suggestions about the top 10 family activities, friends getaway and couples getaway trips. Plus, you will find the best places to listen to live music, try delicious local restaurants and shop. If you are looking to add a little more culture, you’ll enjoy learning about the local art scene, museums and theater shows in the area.
