LeCLAIRE, IOWA (May 2, 2019) — The public and media are invited to help LeClaire, Iowa celebrate its Cultural and Entertainment District (CED) on Friday, May 3. 5:30PM. at the Mississippi River Distilling Company with a LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting during First Friday and other fun activities. Local legislators, LeClaire Chamber, Visit Quad Cities, and Chris Kramer and Liesl Seabert from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will be on hand to help us celebrate.
The Cultural and Entertainment District designation recognizes well-identified, walkable, mixed-use, compact areas of a city or county in which a high concentration of cultural facilities serves as an anchor. To be designated, a Cultural & Entertainment District must be an area where arts and cultural activities already thrive. Currently, Iowa has seven Cultural and Entertainment Districts. The Cultural & Entertainment District program is overseen by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. More information is available at iowaculture.gov.
Last year, LeClaire applied for re-designation of the Cody Road Cultural and Entertainment District (CED). It was originally designated a CED in 2007, and the State of Iowa requires yearly reports and re-designations every 10 years.
The Cody Road Cultural and Entertainment District runs parallel to the Mississippi River and is located on the Great River Road. Cody Road includes many mid-to-late 1800s historical buildings that are part of the Cody Road Historic District, a National Historic District. Many structures now house unique retail-shops, antique stores, galleries, restaurants, music-venues, and a winery. The Buffalo Bill Museum and River Pilot's Pier, LeClaire Community Library, and entertainment-venues including a brewery and distillery in newer buildings are also within the district’s boundaries.
As part of our celebration on May 3, find many other activities going on throughout the day and evening.
Antique Archaeology is open until 6PM.
Bamboo Baby Boutique, 322 N Cody Road, 4-7PM: Paint the Town during this fun, family event! Bamboo Baby Boutique wants the whole family to paint LeClaire’s sidewalks! We’ll provide all of the supplies, paint, brushes, etc. These can be picked up in store and from there you’ll be given a sidewalk to paint! Cost is $2; please RSVP on their Facebook page event: www.facebook.com/bamboobabyleclaire/.
Bela has food and drink samples.
Blue Iguana: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early! The festivities start Friday and run all weekend long with live entertainment, margarita specials, giveaways, and free Blue Iguana LED margarita-glasses with every pitcher purchase. Enjoy Salsa Night with DJ Flacko.
Cultural Entertainment District, 5:30PM: LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting celebrating the re-designation of LeClaire’s Cultural Entertainment District at Mississippi River Distilling Company.
Drift Away Studio, 2-6PM: Open House Make-and-Take Art Event
Stop in anytime during their open house hours and take part in one of the following mini classes:
- Wood Sign Painting by Gena's Designs of the Heartland — Create a small 4x6 sign for $10. Kid friendly.
- Natural Stone Charm Bracelet — Design and create your own natural stone bracelet for $20.
- Sea Glass Canvas Art — Kids can design and create their own artwork with various sea-glass shapes and colors for $6.
- Basket Werks — Create a small FREE make and take item.
Located at 430 N Cody Road, Le Claire; phone 563-726-5638.
The Faithful Pilot, 8-11PM: Live music by Lewis Knudsen.
Grasshoppers is open late.
Green Tree Brewery, 8-11PM: Live music by Doug Brundies.
LeClaire Olive Oil Co will be open late.
Mississippi River Distilling Company:
- 5-8PM: Free food samples with Chef Steph.
- 5-8PM: Free cocktail sample of the month.
- 6-9PM: Live music by Molly Durnin.
Razzleberries is open late.
The Shameless Chocoholic is open until 7PM.
Wide River Winery Tasting Room, 5-8PM: Live music by Corey Wallace in their courtyard.
