Blog

Every July, something wonderful happens in Solon, Iowa. Main Street closes, the carnival rides go up, the smell of grilled beef drifts across town, and neighbors who haven’t seen each other since last summer pick up conversations right where they left off. Solon Beef Days returns July 17 and 18, 2026, and if you’ve never […]

There is a particular kind of magic that settles over Solon, Iowa when summer arrives. The days stretch long and warm, the splash pad fills with kids who couldn’t care less about anything except staying cool, and the whole town seems to exhale together. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know exactly what we

Brightening the Winter Blues: Supporting Mental Health and Our Neighbors in Solon The post-holiday season in Eastern Iowa often brings a quiet beauty—snow-covered fields and frozen landscapes that define our Midwestern winters. However, for many in the Solon area, this time of year can also bring a sense of isolation. As the days remain short

The Unique Magic of a Solon Christmas There is a specific kind of quiet that falls over Eastern Iowa in December. It is not just the silence of snow blanketing the cornfields outside of town or the stillness of Lake Macbride under a layer of ice. It is a feeling of pausing. After a busy

Celebrating Gratitude and Community Spirit in Solon As the leaves finish falling and the crisp air settles over Johnson County, our thoughts naturally turn toward Thanksgiving. It is a season defined by warmth, family gatherings, and the aroma of roasted turkey filling our homes. However, here in Solon, Thanksgiving represents something even deeper. It is

What Does 501(c)(3) Actually Mean? The term “501(c)(3)” refers to a specific section of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. It’s the part of federal tax law that defines organizations that are exempt from paying federal income tax because they serve the public good. In short: A 501(c)(3) organization is a nonprofit that exists for charitable,

Solon Beef Days 2025, held July 18-19, marked another unforgettable celebration in our tight-knit community. Despite some challenges from the weather, the event overflowed with local pride, delicious food, lively entertainment, and friendly competition that brought residents and visitors together for a weekend of joy. Highlights of the Weekend The Hay Bale Toss stole the

Sizzling With Purpose: Solon Beef Days 2025 & How SACF Keeps the Grill Hot All Year July 18–19, 2025 will again turn Main Street into a mouth-watering cloud of hickory smoke as Solon Beef Days fires up for its 54th year. But the festival’s true flavor lasts long after the final guitar riff—thanks to the

Summer in Small-Town Iowa: The Season That Brings Us Together From front porches to fireworks, summer in Iowa’s small towns isn’t just a change in weather — it’s a shift in energy. It’s the season where time slows down (a little), neighbors reconnect, and memories are made in the glow of long evenings and community

Solon, IA Solon, Iowa, may be a small town, but its heart beats strong thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Solon Area Community Foundation (SACF). Since its establishment in 1981, SACF has been instrumental in transforming community dreams into tangible realities. Empowering the Next Generation Education is a cornerstone of SACF’s mission. Each year,