REXBURG—Flood 50 is a weeklong series of events to commemorate the Teton Dam failure and its ties to the present community 50 years later. Every day this week activities will be held for the community to participate in.
Jed Platt, the cultural arts director for the city of Rexburg, has been involved in the Flood 50 project. He said the purpose of the project is to remember, connect and serve.
Every day downtown walking tours and the flood exhibit at City Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maps are available at City Hall and the Romance Theater.
The exhibit “Just Add Water, the Teton Dam that Broke and Built Us,” walks the public through the before and after of the flooding. Platt said they focus on the volunteer efforts and peoples’ stories of their flood experience.
The Flood 50 project has been in the works since 2020. Back in 2023, they produced a documentary with help from Brigham Young University and BYU-Idaho called “Flood of Memories” that explored the impact of the Teton Dam failure. Tuesday through Friday the Flood films will be shown from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Romance Theater.
On Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. a food and clothing food drive will be held in the Manwaring Center and Kimball Building roundabouts on West & East Viking Dr. at BYU-Idaho.
During the time of the flood, the community was invited to campus where the school provided housing and 386,000 meals to survivors and volunteers.
Also on Monday is a Classic Car show from 5 to 8 p.m. on Center St. In the Romance Theater at 7 p.m. is a 70s Flashback Fashion Show and tribute band.
On Tuesday, Rexburg Soup Kitchen and Family Crisis Center will collect non-perishable food and cleaning supplies. Drop off at the Romance Theater or the wheelbarrows at City Hall. At 7 p.m. a discussion panel about the flood will be held at the Romance Theater.
On Wednesday at 10 a.m. join Trout Unlimited to clean up trash along the river and canyon wall. The flood films will play from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Romance Theater.
On Thursday Kiwanis Club’s blood drive will be held at City Hall. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Is a guided river float hosted by Worldcast Anglers, Three Rivers Ranch, Teton Valley Lodge and Yellow Sally Shuttles. At 7 p.m. the Flood of Memories book signing and Presentation will take place at City Hall.
On Friday at 11:57 a.m. there will be a moment of silence. The Teton Dam Bus tours are from 1 to 5 p.m. The Rexburg Races Teton Dam marathon will be hosting a service activity from 2 to 8 p.m. The flood films will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Romance Theater.
On Saturday, the Teton Dam Marathon will need volunteers from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The marathon begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Teton Dam site. Mudfest will be held at BYU-Idaho Sports Complex fields. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Flood films will play at the Romance Theater. At 7 p.m. is the Celebration of Service at the BYU-Idaho Center.
“Over time we've been planning this event and now it's here and we're excited to share this story that really helped shape our community and our community culture,” Platt said.
Platt has collected stories and experiences people had with the disaster. He said the new exhibit is an exciting way to experience the impact of the Teton Dam Flood.
In the exhibit is set a mock 1970s living room. Handheld dial telephones will have recordings of flood stories. There will be interactive maps and hands-on activities.
“[The exhibit] is more focused on the recovery and volunteers. And so, we hope people will come and be inspired by the story and then identify what are needs in our community now that we can rally around and flood our community with service,” Platt said.
To learn more about Flood 50 go to Rexburg.org. To learn more about Flood 50 go to or socials at socials at City of Rexburg