Hometown Pride
From one-of-a-kind events, landmarks, places, groups or traditions, Cenex® is proud to celebrate our communities and everything that makes them unique. In conjunction with our local Cenex locations, we are able to celebrate these special hometowns.
Hometown Pride highlight
As we look across our 19-state footprint, certain towns catch our eye and we work hard to tell that remarkable story through video. Check out these Cenex® communities and how they come together to create something much bigger than themselves.
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Old Time Fiddlers' Contest
Weiser, Idaho
This old time music competition and festival draws musicians of all ages from across the country. With more than 7,000 in attendance each year and almost 350 performances, it is a key pillar in the fiddling community.
Hot Air Balloon Days
Creston, Iowa
Since 1978, balloonists and spectators have flocked to Creston to attend this annual balloon event. The festival also includes a parade of bands, balloon rides, flea market and the popular Night Glow event.
Avenue of Flags
Holstein, Iowa
A Holstein avenue is lined with nearly 450 flags, each privately purchased and dedicated to military veterans who have connections to the community.
Holstein State Theater
Holstein, Iowa
This theater is just one of ten theaters left in the country of its architecture style. As the stage to many family movie nights and first dates, the Holstein State Theater has been a centerpiece in the community since 1927.
Castletown, USA
Ida Grove, Iowa
This small Iowan town hosts an eclectic assortment of medieval architecture. Locals and visitors alike revel in the midst of dozens of everyday buildings designed as castles like the newspaper office, a roller-skating rink and the shopping plaza, to name a few.
Outdoors Without Boundaries
Newton, Iowa
Through passionate volunteers and specialized equipment, Central Iowa Outdoors Without Boundaries is a nonprofit organization that gets everyone enjoying the outdoors through hunting, no matter their physical limitations.
Tulip Time
Pella, Iowa
This annual celebration transforms Pella into a town rich in Dutch culture, featuring parades, food, performances, attire and thousands of blossoming tulips. Each October, volunteers plant the tulip bulbs in preparation for the event that takes place each May.
American Legion Post 317
Radcliffe, Iowa
With about 25 active members, the small, yet mighty American Legion Post 317 members fundraised to rebuild their local community center. Now, it’s equipped with updated technology and a refreshed space ready for every event.
Rock Rapids Mural
Rock Rapids, Iowa
Over 30 murals cover the buildings of Rock Rapids, IA. From notable portraits to memorializing historical moments, these morals are a true source of pride to the community.
Antique Carousel
Story City, Iowa
This 100-year-old, hand-carved wooden carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was honored by the National Carousel Association. It was purchased in 1938 and has nearly 20,000 riders each summer.
Tiffiny's Tipton Bakery
Tipton, Iowa
Famous for its crescents, Tiffiny's Tipton Bakery has served locals since 1928. Visitors have caught wind of the flakey, buttery goodness and will travel far for one of the award-winning treats.
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend, Iowa
The Shrine of the Grotto is a religious shrine created from precious stones, said to be the world’s most complete man-made collection of minerals, fossils, shells and petrification in a single place.
Cyclone Day Memorial
Codell, Kansas
On May 20 a tornado tore through the town of Codell three years in a row: 1916, 1917 and 1918. In commemoration of the record-setting weather phenomena and it’s 100th year anniversary, a 15-foot Cyclone sculpture was installed in a local park.
Stone Arch Bridges
Cowley County, Kansas
Eighteen stone arch bridges, almost all over 100 years old, are found throughout Cowley County, KS. These bridges span creeks and rivers, and some have as many as four arches!
ARC Park
Hays, Kansas
ARC Park aims to give a space for children with all abilities to learn, grow and play. An accessible playground, splash pad and ball field will bring children and families of Kansas together.
Neewollah
Independence, Kansas
One hundred years ago, Neewollah (Halloween backwards) started as a way to keep playful pranksters out of mischief on Halloween night. Now it is a week-long event that gathers people from across the state.
Andreson Memorial Park
Plainville, Kansas
The Plainville Ambassador Club fundraised to turn an old lot into a beautiful park, complete with a walking bridge, gazebo and even an underground sprinkler system. This park serves as a place for community connection and served as a gathering spot in 2018 for a memorial honoring 9/11.
New Recreational Ball Fields
St. George, Kansas
The town of St. George only has one ball field, which creates a bottleneck of users throughout the year. Which is why the St. George Recreation Commission (SGRC) is working to complete new ball fields and is raising funds for fencing, tilling, seeding the outfield, lights, bleachers, restrooms, parking and more.
Baileyville Benefit Basketball Tournament and Fundraiser
Seneca, Kansas
Each winter, hundreds gather to participate in a basketball and volleyball tournament and auction to raise money that helps local families in need.
Fourth of July Turtle Races
Sterling, Kansas
Many towns use fireworks and parades to celebrate the Fourth of July, but in Sterling the holiday also includes decorating and racing Kansas Box turtles. Grant winnings were used by Sterling’s volunteer fire department.
Menominee County Fair
Powers, Michigan
For more than 100 years, the Menominee County Fair has brought fun and excitement to its community. The event includes tractor pulls, proud 4H kids showing their animals and carnival games and rides.
Annandale Free Store
Annandale, Minnesota
The Annandale Free Store provides free clothing, hygiene supplies and household items to people in need. Funded entirely from community donations, this small town store demonstrates the spirit of neighbors coming together for one another.
Willie Walleye
Baudette, Minnesota
Willie the Walleye is a 40-foot, 2.5-ton fish that was built in 1957 and has come to symbolize the Lake of the Woods, an area that is heavily trafficked by local and traveling anglers.
World's Largest Crow
Belgrade, Minnesota
In honor of the state's centennial in 1988, the World's Largest Crow was built. The 43-foot-tall crow sits atop a 31-foot-long branch, looking over Minnesota's Crow Country. Inside its pedestal, visitors can find a museum dedicated the city.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
Bemidji, Minnesota
Towering at 18 feet tall, Paul Bunyan and his sidekick Babe the Blue Ox are integrated into every part of the Bemidji community. The statues attracts visitors from far and wide to see learn the story of the famous folklore.
Kid Day
Benson, Minnesota
A tradition that dates back to the 1930s, Kid Day celebrates the youth of small-town America. The event draws kids from across the state for a fun-filled day including a parade, carnival, live music, kid royalty and more.
Ojibwe Tribe Powwows
Cass Lake, Minnesota
In Minnesota’s warmer months, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe host powwows near Cass Lake to celebrate Native American heritage in song and dance, while working to raise funds for the Native American community.
Heart of the City Playground
Danube, Minnesota
The city of Danube has come together to build a new playground to replace the wear and tear of the existing one. With accessibility for all children in mind, the new neighborhood treasure will include slides, swings and more, plus a community clubhouse!
Annual Threshing Bee
Donnelly, Minnesota
To honor Donnelly’s history of agriculture, the annual Threshing Bee celebration includes threshing competitions, antique tractor pulls and live chain saw carving.
Veterans on the Lake Resort
Ely, Minnesota
Created as a recreational facility for folks to benefit from both the great outdoors and the unrivaled Boundary Waters, this resort serves the needs of veterans — both disabled and able-bodied — active-duty military and their family and friends.
Light Up the Night
Marshall, Minnesota
Light Up the Night is a winter wonderland made of lights. Hosted and benefited by the Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care, this event kicks off each holiday season with a community parade, fireworks, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, sledding and more.
The Community Band
Meire Grove, Minnesota
The Meire Grove Community Band has been playing since 1883, making it the longest continually playing band in the state of Minnesota.
Pelican Pete
Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Pelican Pete is a 15-foot-6-inch statue that was built in 1957 and holds the title of world’s largest pelican. Pete is an area landmark and frequent photo-op for tourists.
Klassen Popcorn Stand
Plainview, Minnesota
Since 1989, Leona Klassen and her family have been selling popcorn at their polka-dotted popcorn stand in Plainview, Minn. Open on summer evenings throughout the summer, locals and visitors know where to get a salty snack!
Park Moms
Renville, Minnesota
With a common goal of keeping their children active and healthy, the parents of Renville come together to support the maintenance and expansion of their local parks so they continue to thrive for years to come.
Lights in Motion
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
Holiday season is always bright here thanks to the annual, animated holiday light show that runs from Thanksgiving through the New Year. The show includes twinkle-lit trees, decorated camper cabins, trolley rides and a visit from Santa.
Skate Path
Warroad, Minnesota
The Riverbend Skate Path is over two miles long and features public and private ice-skating rinks, cross-country ski paths and a snowmobile trail. The path is made for walking, running, skating, sledding, and most importantly, connects the community together.
King Turkey Day
Worthington, Minnesota
This long-standing tradition celebrates the abundance of wild turkeys in southern Minnesota. Each year, turkeys from Worthington and Cuero, Texas race for the title of the Great Gobbler Gallop.
CF Russel Stadium
Trenton, Missouri
This 1934 high school stadium is home to many memories for the community, from sporting events to local festivals, vigils and fundraisers. A staple event is the annual Pink Out night, where the community rallies to raise money for the Grundy County Breast Cancer Support Group.
East Glacier Park Women's Club Community Hall
East Glacier, Montana
100 years ago, a group of women came together to form the Women’s Club, and in the 1940’s, the group built a center which still stands tall today. Here you'll find the community library and local events.
Paddlefishing Season
Glendive, Montana
Paddlefish descend from an ancient lineage of primitive fish most closely related to sturgeons. It is said that they may be the oldest big game animal in North America, which draws people from across the nation to Glendive to cross paddlefishing off their bucket list.
Champions Park
Shelby, Montana
Located at the site of the historical 1923 boxing match between Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons, Champions Park highlights the history of this northern Montana town with life-sized statues and a boxing ring.
Avenue of Flags
Hemingford, Nebraska
On five holidays throughout the year, over 200 American Internment Flags line this Nebraskan town's main streets. Each of the flags were donated by veteran’s families, then cared for and hung by the local legion.
Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands
Omaha, Nebraska
One way the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands supports the youth in their community is by providing meals for students before and after school. While learning was virtual in Omaha, the Boys and Girls Club increased this offering to three square meals each day.
Kolach Days
Verdigre, Nebraska
Kolaches are a favorite Czech and Slovak dessert made from dough and a delicious fruit filling. One weekend each summer, these pastries become the centerpiece of a cultural celebration featuring a carnival, live music, dancing, baking and eating contests, parades and more.
Cavalier Motorcycle Ride In
Cavalier, North Dakota
This annual weekend event draws crowds from all over the U.S. and Canada. Each year, thousands ride in on motorcycles to enjoy live music, food vendors, dancing in the street, burn out competitions and more.
Dickens Village Festival
Garrison, North Dakota
For nearly 30 years, this three-weekend festival turns Garrison into the Christmas Capitol of North Dakota. The event features horse-drawn carriages, an authentic English double decker bus, a lighted parade and live performances of A Christmas Carol.
Watch the video
Authentic Danish Windmill
Kenmare, North Dakota
Built in 1902 by a Danish immigrant farmer, this beautiful windmill fell victim to arson in the winter of 2019. Since then, the community’s park district has raised funds to restore the town’s valued landmark.
The Geographic Center of North America
Rugby, North Dakota
A monument marks what is known as the center of North America. Nearby is the Prairie Village Museum that celebrates the history of the region and emphasizes the community’s commitment to local businesses.
Metal for Moms
Monroeville, Ohio
Nonprofit Metal for Moms recycles donated metal and turns the scrap into profits for local charities. Since its inception in 2011, the group has recycled more than 1.2 million pounds of metal and has given more than $120,000 to local charities. The group has also donated swing sets, baseball mitts and Christmas presents for people in need.
Corona Cruise
Pond Creek, Oklahoma
When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders felt the most isolating, the Pond Creek community mobilized. They met under the local Cenex canopy for a cruise down main street every Saturday evening, bringing the community together from afar.
Four Rivers Cultural Center
Ontario, Oregon
The Four Rivers Cultural Center chronicles over 200 years of history for the quaint town of Ontario, Ore. What was once a small town established along the Oregon Shortline Railroad is now a thriving melting pot proud of its heritage.
Storybook Land
Aberdeen, South Dakota
From the Humpty Dumpty roller coaster to a Wizard of Oz balloon ride and now a tea cup ride, this free nursery rhyme amusement park brings families together in the summer months.
Potato Days
Clark, South Dakota
Historically, Clark has always been a potato town. So, each year they celebrate their history and their current potato farmers with Potato Days, a festival complete with potato cooking contests, decorating contests and even mash potato wrestling.
110-foot Elevator Mural and 1925 Carousel
Faulkton, South Dakota
A two-for-one deal: Faulkton hosts both a 110-foot grain elevator mural painted by Australian artist Guido VanHelten and a nearly 100 year-old carousel still in operation every summer.
100 Years of Pheasant Hunting
Redfield, South Dakota
Known as the pheasant hunting capital of the world, Redfield has become an epicenter for generations of hunting families during opening weekend. In 2019, the tradition celebrates its one hundredth year, or its "Pheasantennial."
Watch the video
Holiday Festival of Lights
Yankton, South Dakota
Nothing kicks off the holiday season like the annual Holiday Festival of Lights, which includes a parade of lights and a tree lighting ceremony that brings the community together to celebrate holiday spirit.
Durand Area Youth Fishing Contest
Durand, Wisconsin
Nestled on the picturesque Chippewa River, four days of fishing engage children in the area each summer. The skills and love of fishing are being instilled in young anglers for generations to come!
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
Hayward, Wisconsin
Dedicated to promoting the sport of freshwater fishing and archiving its history, this museum features sportfishing artifacts including rods, reels, mounted fish and antique motors, along with a 143-foot-long, outdoor Muskie sculpture resting atop an 88,000-gallon pond.
Iola Car Show
Iola, Wisconsin
As the largest car show and swap meet in America, this event draws more than 115,000 people to this small town. This nonprofit event began in 1972, relies on more than 2,000 volunteers and has given back more than $8.4 million to more than 130 different civic organizations or projects since its inception.
Mondovi Ladies Holiday Luncheon
Mondovi, Wisconsin
In 1963, a women's volunteer group was formed and quickly became the foundation of female entrepreneurship in Mondovi. Today, the group's main event is the Holiday Luncheon that raises essential funds for the community.
State Cow Chip Throw and Festival
Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
This annual festival features a Ping-Pong paddle-sized cow chip throwing contest. In addition to the competition, attendees can also enjoy live music, 5K or 10K runs, food, kids' activities, beer tents and a craft fair with over 150 booths each September.
Eagle Watching
Sauk City, Wisconsin
Hundreds of people gather in the winter months to watch eagles soar along the Wisconsin River. Each January, the town hosts Eagle Watching Days for bird watchers to celebrate our national bird.
Watermelon Festival
Stanley, Wisconsin
A celebration of watermelon that started in the ‘70s is still alive and well today. One weekend each summer, the folks of Stanley, Wis. celebrate their community with games, raffles, food, a car show and, of course, watermelon.
Edible Prairie Project
Gillette, Wyoming
The EPP is a nonprofit that supports independent family-scale agriculture and increases the affordability and accessibility of food for all members of their community. EPP strives to cultivate a fair, resilient, and sustainable community food system.