Motor Mill Gala
Saturday, May 4th 11 -2 pm
Northeast Iowans will celebrate the 2012 reconstruction of the Turkey River bridge and the ongoing restoration at the Motor Mill Historic site at a festival from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at Motor Mill, southeast of Elkader.
The public is invited to tour the bridge and Mill, visit displays from partners in the Motor Mill and Turkey River preservation efforts, and hear remarks from leaders of the conservation projects. There will be a continuous showing of photos of the bridge construction, and a program by historian Marlys Svendsen about the history of the Motor Mill site.
Exhibitors will include the Iowa Natural heritage Foundation, Turkey River Recreational Corridor, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, Clayton and Fayette County Tourism groups, and Upper Mississippi Gaming. Music will be provided by the National Brass quintet.
Tours and a food concession operated by the Elkader Lions Club will open at 11 a.m. The formal program will begin at 1 p.m. Featured speakers will include Mark Ackelson, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; Don Menken, former director of the Clayton County Conservation Board; and representatives of Silos and Smokestacks, the Motor Mill Foundation, and the Clayton County Board of Supervisors. The program will conclude with the unveiling of a plaque dedicating the new bridge.
A “turkey dash” will follow the formal ceremonies. For a $5 donation, participants will be given a floating turkey to release in the river in a race to win prizes donated by Motor Mill and Turkey River Recreational Corridor supporters.
For more information, call the Clayton County Conservation Board at 563-245-1516