Jefferson Forge Grand Opening plans

A free community BBQ will be a part of the festivities of The Forge Grand Opening celebration on September 7.  Local sponsors include Greene County Cattlemen, Pork Producers and Lamb Producers, Fareway, Hy-Vee and Deal’s Orchard.  The Iowa Beef Council is donating meat along with Moo Meat.  The Jefferson Kiwanis Club will be serving the meal and Jefferson Rotary Club is providing the tables and chairs that will be located on the north side of the courthouse lawn under the shade trees. Serving for the BBQ begins at 5 p.m. until gone.  Jefferson Matters: Main Street, Greene County Development Corporation and Greene County Chamber & Tourism are involved with coordinating this important event for Jefferson and Greene County.

The Grand Opening of The Forge at 204 E State will begin at 4 p.m. with tours of the renovated facility.  The official ribbon cutting event will be held at 4 p.m.  Educational sessions for parents and students on opportunities in technology careers will be held at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Sierra Theatre.  A virtual reality tour of the new ICCC Career Academy will be available in the business center of the Sierra Theatre.

A program with speeches will be held at 7 p.m. with Governor Kim Reynolds, Congressman Ro Khanna, Reagan Lamoureaux, Chris Deal and others slated to speak.  A stage will be set up on the north side of the Greene County Courthouse.  Raccoon Valley Radio is handling the sound system for the event.  The public is invited to attend and local residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Providing the free community BBQ was offered to add to the festivities keeping people in the downtown throughout the time.  Attractions such as Thomas Jefferson Gardens, the Mahanay Bell Tower, and RVP~1875 will be open along with many downtown shops extending their hours for shopping.  The City of Jefferson, Greene County, and Greene County Schools are supporting the day by providing facility needs.

With local, state, national and international media coverage of the opening of the first rural Forge, the expectation is for a huge crowd, and local residents are encouraged to attend.

Rain location for the BBQ and speeches will be the Greene County Community Center.