2025 Kool-Aid Days in Hastings, (Jimmy Rash, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — Kool-Aid Days was held Aug. 15-17, 2025 at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska, by Edwin Perkins. He initially created a liquid concentrate called “Fruit Smack,” but due to high shipping costs and breakage, he developed a powdered version called Kool-Aid in 1927.
“The annual Kool-Aid Days festival, a vibrant celebration that pays homage to the enduring legacy of this beloved sweet drink. Held every August in Hastings, this festival unites locals and visitors in commemorating the town’s pivotal role in Kool-Aid’s history,” per Visit Nebraska.
“Immerse yourself in the festivities with a lively parade, explore the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand, test your skills in the Kwickest Kool-Aid Drinking Contest, and experience the thrill of the Kool-Aid Kardboard Boat Races, among other captivating events. Kool-Aid Days is more than just a festival; it’s a unique celebration that transports you to the spirit of the 1920s when the drink began,” per Visit Nebraska.
Photos by Jimmy Rash, Central Nebraska Today
