What’s Open, What’s Closed in Cedar Falls on Monday for Columbus Day?

As a holiday, Columbus Day is a minor one. Renaissance explorer Christopher Columbus got lost, after all, and ended up on the continent of North America in 1492 instead of in the West Indies.

Columbus Day didn’t even become an official holiday until 1971, when it was deemed in an act of Congress that all 50 states shall celebrate Columbus Day on the second Monday of October.

Congress gets the day off. So do other federal government employees and people who play by federal government rules, like the U.S. Postal Service. It’s a big day for commerce. Retail stores will be open and many are offering Columbus Day bargain prices.

But almost everyone else will be at work – feeling a bit cheated, perhaps, and wondering why all of America doesn’t get to celebrate Columbus Day and if they’re the only ones who had to work.

No, no no – not by a long shot.

The short list of what’s closed:
Federal government offices
All U.S. Post Offices (no mail delivery)

The longer list of what’s open:

Cedar Falls city offices and services

State government offices

Cedar Falls Library

Cedar Falls Recreation Center

County government offices

Some, but not all banks (call ahead)