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‘Made in Iowa’ to premiere in WC

Film crew documents community’s resiliency, determination following Electrolux closing

—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Adri Sietstra Members of the Square, Inc. company film a segment of their documentary film at Seneca Street Saloon in early May. The documentary entitled “Made in Iowa”, features Webster City’s resilience after the loss of Electrolux in 2011. There will be a free showing and premeire of the film on Thursday, June 15 at 6 p.m. at the Webster City Theater.

Mark your calendars, Webster City. Thursday, June 15 is going to be chock full of activities. Visit downtown Webster City for a free film, food and music.

Webster City residents have been collaborating with Square to tell the story of determination and optimism after the closing of Electrolux in 2011. The short documentary film will be premiered live at 6 p.m. on June 15 at the Webster City Movie Theater.

The film, Made In Iowa, features Webster City’s resilience after the city’s appliance manufacturing plant shut down, requiring residents to come together to adjust to a new business climate. In the years since the plant closed, the community discovered the role small business can play in revitalizing Webster City.

Movie-goers will recognize many faces and places from around the community throughout the film. Producers from San Francisco traveled to Webster City and spent time interviewing the locals, scouting and shooting film during the first week of May.

“We invite everyone to come out and take part in celebrating what they did to inspire our community — it’s the shared story of all of our residents and they should come see how their collective success has reinvigorated Webster City and served as a beacon for opportunity,” said Mayor John Hawkins.

“It’s a great night for the theater,” said Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce Director Christianson. “I’m hoping it will bring a lot of people downtown to showcase our community.”

Made In Iowa is the second film in Square’s documentary series, For Every Kind of Dream, which follows the dreams of small business owners in America. The story will be streamed live on Facebook and Twitter at 6 pm CT, followed by a Q&A with Square’s CEO, Jack Dorsey. More information on the film and access to the live stream of the premiere can be found on Facebook.

In celebration of the documentary’s premiere, Square will be hosting a series of events downtown.

Block party

A block party will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. in the 600 block of 2nd Street featuring face painters, a bounce house, and $5 meals of burgers, chips and drinks provided by the Lions Club. Proceeds from the meal will go towards the Lions Park project.

Attendees will have the opportunity to share their reactions to the film and Webster City’s story as Square will be working with Legacy Learning Boone River Valley, a local arts non-profit, to capture the community’s response to the film. These reactions will be broadcast then on the large movie screen owned by the city outside during the block party.

Music in the Park

Music in the Park will begin at 7 p.m. and go until 10 p.m. The event will be held at Availa Bank Plaza. The band “Bad Tactics” will be on scene to entertain the crowd. The monthly summer event is being sponsored by the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by Square Inc.

Everyone is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the musical entertainment, along with an opportunity to showcase local talent in an open-mic format.

“This is also an opportunity to showcase local talent because it will be an open mic format, so rosin up your bow and come on down and showcase your talent,” said Christianson.

Three more Music in the Park events are scheduled for this summer. They are set for July 6, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.

“We just want to encourage everybody to come out and support our community,” said Christianson.

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