We Are CR, part 2: Ready for the unexpected

We Create Here was an initiative within the Gazette Company to develop evolving narratives and authentic conversations throughout Iowa's Creative Corridor. read more

First-hand perspectives on Cedar Rapids' All America City award: Last week, Quinn Pettifer traveled to Denver as part of the Cedar Rapids delegation to the All America City conference, building community pride and friendships along the way.

This is the second of three blog posts reflecting on the experience - read part one here, check back this week for part three, or replay our conversation with City of Cedar Rapids officials here.

By Friday morning, I was ready for the unexpected. Granted, I had my handy itinerary, my Cedar Rapids shirts (assigned by color per day) and an overall sense of my assignment: promote Cedar Rapids, fill in wherever needed for the group, and keep in close contact with We Create Here and the rest of our media buddies back home to keep updated on our experiences as needed. Yet I knew upon walking down to our first gathering that many of us, while excited, weren't sure what to expect.

Friday began with a fresh workout and breakfast down in the lobby where many of our delegation greeted other cities checking in. By 11 a.m., a handful of us gathered to launch a Google hangout with staff back in Cedar Rapids from We Create Here to capture the message of intent along with a schedule of what our Cedar Rapids audience could anticipate in the days ahead. ?Our delegates in the hangout seemed optimistic, yet the realization of our final rehearsal was very real –

a mere two hours away. My biggest point of pride in this group came from not only the explaination of the intent, but the high energy from the actual presentation. While merely hours away from a final rehearsal, this group of 39 delegates was ready to exemplify their Cedar Rapids pride in ways not normal to most. Of the 39, only a handful had theatrical experience, yet all were poised to demonstrate their story through song, lines, performance and artistic integrity.

I attended the final rehearsal as we were greeted by past All America City winners, willing to take time to critique and offer advice. While behind the camera, it was obvious the judges were impressed with the amount of discipline and well thought out performance we had. In looking at our group, dressed in our matching blues, it was obvious we came with purpose. not only in cheering on each other, but to demonstrate our own Iowa pride, our story and to learn from others. I can't believe the pep rally Friday night. incredible expressions of pride, cheers, our own #WeAreCR message and the intense enthusiasm from past winners to current contenders. The best part? Our own bonding experience –

39 from so many pieces of Cedar Rapids, coming together to form a cohesive message. The best was yet to come.

If you missed Part I, check it out here: We are CR, part 1: An Invitation, A Game Changer

Check back for the final installment later this week.