Attractions

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In 1927, Edwin Perkins invented and began to manufacture Kool-Aid at Perkins Products Company in Hastings. His dream of being a self-employed businesses success was backed by hard work and some ingenious marketing. While he developed many products, Kool-Aid was certainly the most famous and has gone on to impact popular culture through the decades.

Visitors to Hastings can stop by the Original Kool-Aid Factory, the original home of Perkins Products Company, at 516 West 1st Street in Hastings. This is where Perkins invented and manufactured Kool-Aid, and the front of the building offers a colorful tribute to Edwin, his wife Kitty, and Kool-Aid – and is a great spot for taking a picture.

They can also visit the  Discover the Dream exhibit at Hastings Museum explores the life of Edwin Perkins and how Kool-Aid became the international cultural icon that's popular yet today. Hastings Museum is open year round. In addition to Kool-Aid, it offers a number of permanent and traveling exhibits, a giant screen theater and planetarium. More information can be found at HastingsMuseum.org.

 In 2000, Kool-Aid Man had his footprints immortalized in concrete at the world famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The concrete prints were donated to Hastings by Kraft, the company that now owns the Kool-Aid brand. They can be found at the Visitor Center at 100 North Shore Drive.

Kool-Aid Days, an annual celebration held the second weekend in August. Kool-Aid Days draws thousands of fans from across the country who come for the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand, parade, concert, cardboard boat races, Kool-Aid drinking contests, games, activities and more. For details on this great event, go to Kool-AidDays.com.  

 Kool-Aid is a registered trademark of KF Holdings.