The hot air balloon water tower has been the most recognizable symbol of York, Nebraska, for years. Thanks to the York Chamber of Commerce and the cooperation of many local businesses and artists, 25 new mini water towers have been placed throughout the town representing different parts of our fair community. From sunsets, to mazes, to fire trucks, the Towers of York public art installation project celebrates the variety within our community, while enhancing its appeal through art.

York College sponsored one of the towers, which now sits near the corner of campus at 8th and Delaware Avenue. The tower, called “Be More at York College,” was painted by Meghan Shruck, assistant dean of students. Shruck’s creation captures iconic elements of York College’s beautiful campus, including the Prayer Chapel, Hulitt Hall, the arch and a campus swing. The tower also features the college mission statement “to transform lives through Christ-centered education and to equip students for lifelong service to God, family, and society.”

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The Towers of York will be on display across the community from March until Labor Day, when they will be moved to the courthouse lawn in time for Yorkfest.

The next stop is Holthus Convention Center where they will be sold by live auction from 5:30 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12. All proceeds will be used to support the Firecracker Frenzy aerial extravaganza Monday, July 3 at the York County Fairgrounds.

More information about the project, including locations of all the towers, can be found on the York News-Times website.

York College students were an essential part of bringing this project to life, as the spring 2016 Organizational Behavior class did much of the pre-event research on costs, materials, and supply chain. They presented their findings and recommendations to the board of directors of the York Area Chamber of Commerce. "The students are very excited to see the finished product that they helped make happen," said Nick DiToro, associate professor of business.