Kool-Aid Days/Nebraska's Official Soft Drink Heritage Foundation

Thousands of “kids” of all ages gather in Hastings, Nebraska the second weekend of every August to celebrate the invention of Kool-Aid, Nebraska’s Official Soft Drink, by Edwin Perkins in 1927. The festival's features include the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand, full size Kardboard Boat Races, miniature Kool-Aid Jammers Boat Races, the Kwickest Kool-Aid Drinking Contest, the Kool-Aid Classic Car Cruise of America, Giant Inflatable Rides, Carnival Games, Festival Foods, Trolley Rides through the Hastings Historic District, sports tournaments, and much more. Visitors can purchase commemorative “Kollectibles” including collectible T-shirts and special $2 mugs, which entitle them to drink as much Kool-Aid as they want of 16 flavors served. The Hastings Museum has discounted admission during the festival featuring the “Kool-Aid: Discover the Dream” exhibit, telling the 80-year history of Kool-Aid. Saturday night of the festival features a rock concert in the Brickyard Park outdoor amphitheatre followed by fireworks. Past performers have included Richie Havens, Judy Collins, and “Rave On” – a Buddy Holly tribute. More than 35 events throughout Hastings and over 40,000 attendees make Kool-Aid Days one of the fastest growing festivals in the US – winner of the 2010 and 2006 Governor’s Award for Most Outstanding Event in Nebraska for communities with populations over 20,000 and named as one of the “Top 100 Events” in North America for 2011 by the American Bus Association.