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Your Ultimate Guide to Eastern Iowa Fairs, Festivals and Celebrations
From craft brew festivals to cultural celebrations, events for everyone from May through October
Diana Nollen
May. 1, 2024 4:30 am, Updated: May. 1, 2024 10:55 am
As the calendar springs into summer and fall, you’ll find plenty of fun in the sun around Eastern Iowa — or a day trip away.
Plenty of tulips still will be blooming in Pella for the Tulip Festival May 2 to 4. And Mount Vernon’s main street is about to become a giant chalk canvas May 4 and 5, complete with a colorful community chalk-a-square mural featuring “Frida Kahlo with Parrot,” a portrait of the Mexican painter, created by artist Alina Dalinina from Zhytomyr, Ukraine.
Dirndls and lederhosen will swirl around maypoles and hoist a stein or two May 4 and 5 during Maifest in the Amana Colonies, a nod to the villagers’ German heritage. Even Houby Days, an homage to morel mushrooms, will take on a different hue, sprouting black and gold when UI women’s basketball standout Hannah Stuelke serves as grand marshal for the 10 a.m. parade May 18 in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village.
That’s just for starters. Plenty more is waiting around every corner through October. Here are just some of the many 2024 area fairs, festivals and celebrations. Don’t see your event here? Be sure to add it the listings at HooplaNow.com.
Tulip Time, Chalk the Walk, Houby Days, Marion Arts Festival in MAY
May 2 to 4: Tulip Time, downtown Pella: Celebration of Dutch heritage, with tulips, Dutch attire, food, grandstand shows, Friday night fireworks, 2:45 and 8:30 p.m. parades each day. visitpella.com/tulip_time/
May 3: Freedom FEASTival: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Greene Square, downtown Cedar Rapids. Food trucks, vendors. freedomfestival.com/calendar/feastival
May 4: Iowa Pop Art Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Art from more than 150 Iowa artists, plus free music. iowapopart.com/
May 4: Move Ya Body Reggae Fest: 3 to 8 p.m. Fairmeadows Park, 2451 Miami Dr., Iowa City. Family info fair 3 to 6:30 p.m., food trucks, live reggae music, family-friendly activities, Star Wars-themed challenge course; free admission; facebook.com/IowaCityReggaeFest
May 4: Washington Craft Fair: Spring Edition: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Park, 107 W. Washington St. Food, craft vendors. washingtoniowa.gov/events
May 4 & 5: Amana Colonies Maifest: 622 46th Ave., Amana. Celebrate spring in the German tradition with music, dancing, food, 10 a.m. parade Saturday, and more. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/maifest/
May 4 & 5: Chalk the Walk, Mount Vernon: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. First Street turns into a giant canvas, as hundreds of artists will leave their mark there, using more than a half-ton of chalk. This year’s community piece is “Frida Kahlo with Parrot” created by artist Alina Dalinina from Zhytomyr, Ukraine. For a $10 donation to the event, festivalgoers will receive pastel chalk sticks to create an assigned 2-foot-by-2-foot square of the 34-foot-by-44-foot mural. visitmvl.com/mvs-chalk-the-walk-returns-may-4-and-5/
May 5: Cinco de Mayo: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Butler Park Gazebo, Fifth Avenue, Springville. With DJ salsa music and dancing, food, Chihuahua Cuteness Contest at 12:30 p.m., $1 per dog. Festival admission: Free.
May 17: Syttende Mai, Decorah: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum area, 502 W. Water St., Decorah, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day; storytelling, 1 p.m. children’s parade, Nordic Dancers at 1:30 p.m., history programs, tours, music. vesterheim.org/program/syttende-mai-2024/
May 17-19: Houby Days: 16th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids; 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Czech Village tradition features food, live music, games and traditional Czech-Slovak events, royal court and 10 a.m. parade Saturday with grand marshal Hannah Stuelke from the University of Iowa women’s basketball team. czechvillagecedarrapids.com/
May 18: Coralville Asian Festival: Noon to 7 p.m., S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Fifth St.; free. Music, arts and crafts, food, activities, performances and more. Search Coralville Asian Festival in facebook.com
May 18: Marion Arts Festival: Uptown Marion, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Seventh Avenue between 10th and 12th streets. Juried arts show with artist booths, food, half marathon, 5K, fun run, and walk at 7:30 to 11 a.m., hands-on clay activities and more. marionartsfestival.com/
May 18: Marion Community Kite Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Baseball Diamonds at Lowe Park, 4401 Irish Dr., Marion. With giant kites from Great American Kites. Free; bring seating; outside food and drink allowed. Calendar link at cityofmarion.org/
May 23: Taste of Lansing: 4:30 to 7 p.m., 274 Main St., Lansing. Food festival in downtown Lansing; $15 wristband. allamakeecounty.com/events/taste-of-lansing
May 25 & 26: Bentonsport Flea Market & Craft Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bentonsport Historic District, 21964 Hawk Dr. Antiques, crafts, food vendors, blacksmith and other demonstrations, free covered wagon rides and more. villagesofvanburen.com/event
May 25-27 and June 1 & 2: Iowa Renaissance Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Middle Amana Community Park, 801 27th Ave, Middle Amana. Comedy, swordplay, music, magic, horseback jousting, marketplace, food and drink. Also Oct. 12 and 13. iowarenfest.com/
May 31-June 2: Denmark Heritage Days: Denmark Star Park, Denmark. Custom cars and pickups, gas engines, antique tractors, music, yard sales, food, 1 p.m. car and tractor parade Saturday and Sunday, games, horse-drawn wagon rides. denmarkproduction.wixsite.com/denmarkheritagedays
May 31-June 2: Joseph Fun Days: St. Joseph Church, 1790 14th St., Marion. Carnival rides, kids games, fun run and 5K race, live music, games, country store, food, adult beverage tent and more. Free admission. stjosephfundays.org/
Iowa Craft Brew Festival, Iowa Arts Festival, St. Ludmila Kolache Festival, Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival in JUNE
June 1: Iowa Craft Brew Festival: Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines. Hours: VIP sold out; 1 to 4 p.m. general admission. Iowa’s largest brewing festival features craft beer and cider, food trucks, live music; tickets $10 to $65. iowacraftbrewfestival.com/
June 1: Marion Kiwanis BBQ Rendezvous: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th St., Marion. Food vendors, live music, kids activities; free admission. Bands: Betty Calling; Airwaves; and Jessie & The Medicine Men. facebook.com/marionmetrokiwanis
June 1 & 2: Summer Farm Toy Show: National Farm Toy Museum and Beckman High School, 1110 16th Ave. Ct. SE, Dyersville; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; $7. Thousands of farm toys to buy, sell and trade; also Saturday night tractor parade. nationalfarmtoymuseum.com/summer-farm-toy-show
June 6-8: Manchester River Days: 200 E. Main St., Manchester. Food, vendors, music, 5K run, river activities, Boater Cross, Saturday night street dance and more. manchesteriowa.org/events/manchester-river-days/
June 7-9: Farmington Strawberry Festival: South Front Street, Farmington. Rides, games, dog show, live entertainment, vendors and more. villagesofvanburen.com/calendar.html
June 7-9: Iowa Arts Festival: Downtown Iowa City. Local and national artists, food, kids’ activities, local and national musicians; free admission. Saturday main stage headliner: Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, 8 p.m. summerofthearts.org/
June 7-9: St. Ludmila Kolache Festival: St. Ludmila Catholic Church, 211 21st Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Kolache sales, food, music, Kiddieland. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. kolachfestival.org/
June 8-July 4: Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival: Various sites around Cedar Rapids. Cardboard Boat Regatta June 8; Tribute to Heroes breakfast June 14; also, Balloon Glow, DockDogs, 10 a.m. parade June 29, music; July 4 pancake breakfast, car show, concert and fireworks. freedomfestival.com/events/
June 13-19: Juneteenth events: Organized by the African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids. Events in various metro-area locations; including Juneteenth Commemoration with live performances 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 15 at NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. blackiowa.org/events/juneteenth/
June 14 & July 12: Downtown Summer Nights: First Avenue, Dyersville. Music, food and games. dyersville.org/events/
June 14 & 15: Lawler Irish Fest: Downtown Lawler. Irish music and dance, classic rock and country bands, kilt contest, food, beverages, games, 1 p.m. parade Saturday; admission $5 per day. lawleririshfest.com/festival-info/
June 14 & 15: Wurst Festival: 622 46th Ave., Amana. Celebrating German sausage-making traditions with food, games, contests and the Dachshund Derby. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/wurst-festival/
June 16: Snake Alley Art Fair: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Snake Alley, Sixth and Columbia streets, Burlington. Live music, art, food and kids’ activities. https://btownart.com/snake-alley-art-fair.html
June 21 & 22: Fairfax USA Days: 5K, food, free kids’ carnival, parade, fireworks. facebook.com/usadays/
June 27-29: TrekFest, Riverside: Beer tasting, music, games, scale model show and contest, 10 a.m. Saturday parade, costume contest, “Star Trek” celebrity guests Cedar Rapids native Terry Farrell, Bonnie Gordon, David Q. Combs, John Paladin and Lolita Fatjo; fireworks. trekfest.org/
June 22: Downtown Iowa City Block Party: 4 to 11 p.m., various sites. Food, music, games, silent disco, pro wrestling; free admission. https://downtowniowacity.com/events/downtown-block-party/
June 22: Lazy River Beer & Wine Festival: 2 to 6 p.m., Marquette Riverfront, Marquette. Beer, wine, food and live music on the banks of the Mississippi River; $30. portsofdiscovery.com/chamber-events
June 26-30: Linn County Fair: 201 Central City Rd., Central City. With 4-H and FFA exhibits, entertainment, vendors, races, contests, grandstand concerts by Joe Nichols on June 28 and Sara Evans with Tracy Bird on June 29, followed by fireworks both nights. thelinncountyfair.com/
June 28-30: Des Moines Arts Festival: Western Gateway Park, 1200 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Visual artists, performing artists, live music, and local food and beverage vendors. desmoinesartsfestival.org
Coralville 4thFest, Great Jones County Fair, Solon Beef Days in JULY
July 3: Fireworks and Fireflies: 6 p.m., Klopfenstein Amphitheater, Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th St., Marion. Food, music, fireworks; bring seating; coolers permitted; leave pets, sparklers and your fireworks at home. cityofmarion.org/recreation/parks-recreation/events/fireworks-fireflies
July 3 & 4: Coralville 4thFest: S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Seventh St. With 5K run/walk, carnival, entertainment, contests, food, free concert July 3, 10 a.m. parade July 4, fireworks July 4. coralville.org/310/4thFest
July 3 & 4: Celebrate Indee: RiverWalk Parks, various sites, Independence. Music, games, food, parade, fireworks. celebrateindee.com/
July 8-14: Delaware County Fair: 200 E. Acers St., Manchester. Exhibits, entertainment, food, rides and more. Grandstand concerts: Chris Young, July 11; Brantley Gilbert, July 12; delawarecofair.com/
July 10-14: Cedar County Fair: 1195 210th St., Tipton. Exhibits, vendors, music, grandstand events and races, Rodney Atkins and Easton Corbin concert 7 p.m. July 13. thecedarcountyfair.com/
July 11-13: Walcott Truckers Jamboree: Iowa 80 Truckstop, 755 W. Iowa 80 Rd., Walcott. Antique truck display, Friday fireworks, music and more. iowa80truckstop.com/trucker-jamboree/
July 11-14: Snake Alley Festival of Film: Burlington Capitol Theater, 211 N. Third St., Burlington. Celebration of short films from around the world. snakealleyfestivaloffilm.com/
July 12-14: Lake Red Rock Balloonfest: Lake Red Rock, North Overlook Beach, 1007 Hwy T15, Pella. Hot air balloons, live music and more. https://lakeredrockballoonfest.com/
July 13: Kinderfest: Amana. Kid Olympics, roving story time, games, special events. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/events/themed-weekends/kinderfest/
July 13 & 14: Reflections of the Civil War: Seminole Valley Farm Museum, 1400 Seminole Valley Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Encampments, music., cannon fire; $5 adults, free ages 12 and under. seminolevalleyfarmmuseum.net/reflections-of-the-civil-war.html
July 17-21: Great Jones County Fair: 800 N. Maple St., Monticello. Concerts, rides, exhibits, food and more. Grandstand concerts: Lainey Wilson, July 18; Creed, July 19; Cody Johnson, July 20, Hailey Whitters, July 21. greatjonescountyfair.com/
July 17-21: Allamakee County Fair: Allamakee County Fairgrounds, 705 Allamakee St., Waukon. Grandstand concert: The Pork Tornadoes, 7 p.m. July 19. allamakeecountyfair.org/
July 19 & 20: Solon Beef Days: Solon. Food, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. beefdays.com/
July 20: Des Moines Water Lantern Festival: Riverview Park Amphitheater, 710 Corning Ave., Des Moines. With food trucks, floating lantern kits and LED candles. waterlanternfestival.com/desmoines.php
July 20-24: Johnson County Fair: 4261 Oak Crest Hill Rd. SE, Iowa City. Watch for details at thejohnsoncountyfair.com/
July 20-27: RAGBRAI, Annual bicycle ride across Iowa: Glenwood to Burlington. Overnight stops in Red Oak, Atlantic, Winterset, Knoxville, Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant. ragbrai.com/
July 25-27: Nordic Fest: 507 W. Water St., Decorah. Celebration of Scandinavian heritage, culture and food. nordicfest.com/
July 26-Aug. 3: National Balloon Classic: National Balloon Classic Memorial Balloon Field, 15335 Jewell St., Indianola. View more than 100 hot air balloons, balloon competitions, balloon rides and more. nationalballoonclassic.com/
July 27: Swisher Fun Days: Swisher. Games, 5K run/walk, 10 a.m. parade, vendor market, 8 p.m. street dance with 8 Seconds. facebook.com/swisherfundays/
July 30-Aug. 4: Great Mississippi Valley Fair: Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport. Rides, shows, 4-H exhibits, music and more. mvfair.com/
Iowa State Fair, St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival, FRYfest in AUGUST
Aug. 8-18: Iowa State Fair: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines. Food, entertainment, livestock shows and more. iowastatefair.org/
Aug. 8-11: Meskwaki Powwow: 1600 Battle Ground Road and E49, four miles west of Tama. Dances, food, vendors, kids’ games, 5K run/walk Saturday and Sunday. $10 adults, $5 ages 6 to 12, free ages 5 and under. meskwakipowwow.com/
Aug. 9 & 10: Hoover’s Hometown Days: West Branch. Celebrating Hoover’s 150th birthday, with Hoover-Ball championships, music, entertainment, rides, games, food, parade and more. hooverdays.org/
Aug. 9-11: St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival: St. Jude Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids. Watch for details: judes5.wixsite.com/judesweetcornfest
Aug. 10: Amana Festival of the Arts: Market Barn area, 707 46th Ave., Amana. Juried fine art, folk art displays, demonstrations, sales, performances, food, kids’ activities. amanaartsguild.com/all-classes-events/#!event-list
Aug. 10: J40 Farm Crawl: Route J40, 18517 Country Road J40, Keosauqua. Farm tours, buggy and wagon rides, Amish School breakfast, glass blowing, and more, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. villagesofvanburen.com/calendar.html
Aug. 15-17: Sauerkraut Days, Lisbon: Food, games, kids’ activities, 10:30 a.m. Saturday parade, street dances. sauerkrautdays.com/
Aug. 17: Model A Day: Amana. Features 80 to 100 Model A vehicles, food and more. hawkamodelaclub.org/iowa-model-a-day.html
Aug. 17 & 18: World War II Remembered: Seminole Valley Farm Museum, 1400 Seminole Valley Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Visit with veterans, see artifacts, weapons demonstration or skirmish, and more; free admission, donations accepted for Honor Flight. seminolevalleyfarmmuseum.net/world-war-ii-remebered.html
Aug. 24: Independence BrewBQ: RiverWalk Parks, Independence. Barbecue vendors, live music, craft brew zone, bike ride. brewbq.org/
Aug. 24: Boomtown Vinton: Boom-Fest 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown; Boomtown opens 4 p.m. for evening fireworks grand display at the fairgrounds. vinton.info/boomfest/ and vintonboomtown.com/
Aug. 29-Sept. 2: Midwest Old Threshers Reunion: 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant. Steam engines, antique cars, trucks, tractors, gas engines, Cavalcade of Power, horses, grandstand concerts and entertainment, food from the North Village to the Log Village. https://www.oldthreshers.org/
Aug. 30: FRYfest: Celebration of all that is Hawkeye, Iowa River Landing, Coralville. Trade show, games, kids activities, food trucks, block party, outdoor concert, pep rally. fryfest.com/
Aug. 31-Sept. 7: Tri-State Rodeo: 2103 303rd Ave., Fort Madison. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Great Lake Circuit, with competitions, entertainment, including Clint Black concert Sept. 7. tristaterodeo.org
BrewNost, Marion Oktoberfest, Kalona Fall Festival in SEPTEMBER
Sept. 14: Fall into Marion Parade: 10 a.m., starts at First Avenue, north on 15th Street, then left onto Sixth Avenue to Ninth Street. With Marion and Linn-Mar marching bands, floats and more. cityofmarion.org/recreation/things-to-do/festivals/fall-into-marion
Sept. 20: BrewNost: National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. International beer festival, with food, drink, vendors, auction, raffle for a trip for two to Prague. ncsml.org/ncsml-events/brewnost/
Sept. 20-22: Pufferbilly Days: 903 Story St., Boone. Family-friendly activities and entertainment celebrating the city’s railroad history. boonecountychamber.com/pufferbilly-days/
Sept. 21: Marion Oktoberfest: Uptown Marion, details to come. cityofmarion.org/recreation/things-to-do/festivals/fall-into-marion
Sept. 27 & 28: Kalona Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Kalona Historical Village, 715 D Ave., Kalona. Local food, live entertainment, local artisans, quilt displays and more; $8 adults, $3 ages 5 to 12, free ages 4 and under. kalonaiowa.org/fall-festival/
Amana Oktoberfest, Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in OCTOBER
Oct. 4 to 6: Amana Oktoberfest: 622 46th Ave., Amana. Annual tradition in the Amana Colonies. Food, beer, music and more. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/oktoberfest/
Oct. 4 & 5: Waverly Oktoberfest: Kohlmann Park, 212 First St. NW, Waverly. Music, food, craft beer, games and more. waverlyoktoberfest.com/
Oct. 5: Ryan Norlin Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Pumpkinfest: 203 E. Main St., Anamosa. Food, vendors, games, 2 p.m. Saturday parade, and giant pumpkins. anamosapumpkinfest.com/
Oct. 11 & 12: Fall Fest: West Branch, Main Street and Village Green Park. Games, food, sidewalk sales, Saturday night outdoor movie, “Elemental.” www.mainstreetwestbranch.org/fall
Oct. 11-13: Scenic Drive Festival: Villages of Van Buren County, 100 Van Buren St., Keosauqua. Countywide festival with events and activities in most villages. villagesofvanburen.com/special-events/scenic-drive-festival.html
Oct. 12 & 13: Fall Iowa Renaissance Festival: Middle Amana Community Park, 801 27th Ave, Middle Amana. Comedy, swordplay, music, magic, horseback jousting, marketplace, food and drink. iowarenfest.com/
Oct. 12 & 13: Madison County Covered Bridge Festival: Winterset Courthouse Square, 73 Jefferson St., Winterset. Annual celebration of Madison County’s history, heritage and covered bridges. Music, food, arts and craft vendors, antique car show and more. madisoncounty.com/covered-bridge-festival-2/
Oct. 12 & 13: Osborne Heritage Days: Osborne Pioneer Village, 29862 Osborne Rd., Elkader. Living history demonstrations, contests and other activities. claytoncountyconservation.org/heritage-days
Have more events? Submit them to Hooplanow.com
Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com