OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, are separated by the Missouri River, but officials say a recent food festival suggests that the water isn’t a barrier to collaboration between them for events. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Council Bluffs parks director says the river “can pull us together.” The two cities are tied by a pedestrian bridge.

The Taste of Omaha this past weekend spilled over into Iowa for the first time, and an event organizer says attendance might have reached more than 125,000 during the three-day festival. The Loessfest last month in Council Bluffs had sponsorships from Omaha, enabling the festival to stage free concerts, movies and other entertainment.

A consulting team last year suggested cooperation on the riverfront could benefit both communities.