The 'Birthplace of Kool-Aid,' Celebrated for Its Sweet Heritage and Small-Town Warmth
In many ways, Kool-Aid is THE classic American beverage. Its mass-produced, sugary, and often unnatural-looking and tasting nature, can easily be looked over on a hot summer day when all you want is something cheap and easy to cool you down. Yes, Kool-Aid can be scoffed at when compared to higher forms of consumable liquids, but it is impossible to deny why it's in the cupboards and fridges of millions upon millions of family homes around the world.
But, has anybody asked where Kool-Aid comes from? Although it may seem that way, it surely does not suddenly appear in the isles of literally every grocery store across the country...
This is where Hastings, Nebraska steps in, the original home of Kool-Aid, and a pretty cool place in its own right in many other ways. Today, we will uncover the origins of the famous drinks, and shed some light on the town that made it all possible.
When, Where, and How was Kool-Aid Created?
In 1927, Edwin Perkins, a resident of Hastings and prolific inventor, set out to create an easy-to-make fruit drink that could be shipped at a low cost. Given the difficulty of transporting liquids, much of his effort went into manufacturing his concoction in a powder form, which was not only less heavy but much more shelf stable too.
Calling it "Fruit Smack" at first, Perkins succeeded in his efforts and eventually changed the name to "Kool-Ade" before he began mass-producing it in Chicago in 1931, and then in 1934, to its modern spelling of Kool-Aid.
Originally coming in 6 flavors: Raspberry, Cherry, Orange, Lemon-Lime, Grape, and Strawberry, Kool-Aid has since produced dozens of different products across the world, from Pink Lemonade to Sharkleberry Fin (whatever that is).
How Hastings Celebrates its Most Famous Invention
Although production has moved away from this small-ish town of 25,000 residents, it continues to celebrate the legacy of Kool-Aid in a number of fun and informative ways. For one, the Hastings Museum hosts an exhibit dedicated to the drink and its founder, replete with displays highlighting the history of Kool-Aid's development, a collection of Kool-Aid-related products, and tons of activities for all ages.
In 1997, Hastings decided to truly revitalize its association with Kool-Aid and marked the first year in which "Kool-Aid Days" was held. This annual event attempts to follow a different theme each year (usually based on a specific flavor) but continues to revolve around the powdered drink in all of its many forms, with numerous stands handing out free samples, as well as a full schedule of events. Generally held in August (a perfect time for a cold beverage in Nebraska's summer heat), activities that are commonly scheduled at Kool-Aid Days include a parade, Kool-Aid drinking contests, merch vendors, and yard games for the whole family.
What Else is There to Do in Hastings, Nebraska?
Hastings is Nebraska's 8th largest town, which isn't saying a lot in this relatively remote and underpopulated Mid-Western state. This does not mean, however, that it is a boring place, as many like to generalize about this "fly-over" region. We'd even go as far as to say Nebraska is an underrated tourist destination, and small prairie towns like Hastings are, in large part, to thank for that.
Experience its History
The Hastings Museum doesn't just revolve around Kool-Aid. It also contains several other well-curated exhibits about the town's past and present, as well as a big focus on the natural history of the area. This elaborate building also contains a movie theater and a planetarium.
Downtown Hastings (mainly referring to the area around the intersection of North Hastings Ave and West 2nd Street) is an excellent spot to take an afternoon stroll around and look at many of the town's original structures. Lined with many ornate, flat brick storefronts dating back to the late 1800s, this historic district puts Hastings booming history as an important railroad stop on full display.
In fact, two of Hastings' neighborhoods are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, those being Central Hastings and Heartwell Park. Both are well worth a visit, with Heartwell Park, in particular, containing a lush public green space with footpaths and a beautiful lake at its center.
Explore Downtown
Beyond its historic appeal, the downtown area of Hastings features many of the other amenities one should expect from a town this size. Abundant restaurants, bars, and cafes are there to keep your belly full all day long. Classic American eateries like Murphy's Wagon Wheel and Odyssey Downtown are both popular options for a full meal while a visit to local watering holes like Wanda's or Steeple Brewing Co. is a great way to end the day.
The streets of Hasting's downtown core are also lined with shops and boutiques, the Rivoli 3 (a cozy, locally-owned movie theater), and the Hastings Auditorium (the main spot in town to catch a live show).
Just east of downtown is another worthwhile eatery to check out - Kitty's Roadhouse, a renowned diner with a number of fun themes going on inside of it, including your classic 50s roadside diner decor, retro cars, and oddly enough, a tiki bar.
Outdoor Adventure
Hastings has a number of wonderful city parks, including Lake Hastings Park, Heartwell Park, Brickyard Park, and a healthy collection of other green spaces.
It is also positioned just south of the Platte River, whose banks are home to some of the most pristine grasslands and forests in the state, namely the Loch Linda State Wildlife Management Area and Mormon Island State Recreation Area, the latter of which features a lake with sandy beaches and picnicking facilities.
Stay
Hastings is a perfectly fine place to spend the night in, whether you're just passing through or the town itself is the main destination of your trip. With most hotels and motels being located in the northern end of town (near Lake Hastings, a scenic place for a morning or evening walk), it is highly recommended that visitors have a car at hand to get around with ease. Although Hastings does have public transit, don't expect it to be as robust or convenient as bigger cities like Lincoln or Omaha.
How to Get to Hastings
Located in south-central Nebraska, Hastings is easily accessible to travelers along Interstate 80. If you're driving, it sits about two and a half hours west of Omaha and just under two hours west of Lincoln.
Besides its small regional airport, there really are no other ways to get to Hastings besides driving via any of the several roadways entering the town in all directions.
