Designed by architectural lighting artist Rob Shakespeare, the Waterloo River Lights Experience comes to life at sunset with colored light flowing from plazas with lighted totem towers, across the canopy of the 4th Street bridge, and over the water cascading from the adjacent Cedar River dam. Inspired by the spirit of Waterloo and the beauty of the river, it uses seasonal, holiday, and special celebration colors to connect the two halves of the city. At the top of most hours, it presents a tribute to Veterans in red, white, and blue as part of a larger Veterans Way experience along 4th Street, near the east bank Vietnam Memorial and the west bank Veterans Memorial Hall and Soldiers & Sailors Park. In downtown Waterloo, the six light totem towers and colorful bridge canopy create a family-friendly attraction visible from afar and especially striking from other Cedar River bridges, the RiverLoop Amphitheater, and the bridge overlooks above the river cascades below.