2009 Calendar of Events

April

Apr 19:  Fashion and the Victorian Ladies - Western Historic Trails Center, Council Bluffs, IA - Presentation on Victorian-era women's fashions.  www.iowahistory.org/sites

Apr 24-26:  Antique Spectacular - Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA - Antique and collectibles show and sale featuring regional exhibitors.  www.antiquespectacular.com

May

May 3:  Chipper's Spring Adventure - Council Bluffs, IA - Area attractions offer reduced admissions, fun activities, prizes.   www.cbevents.com

May 9-10:  LHF Family Weekend: Shearly Spring - Living History Farms, Urbandale, IA - Artist or musician perfornace, hands-on activities, 1875 rules baseball game on Sunday.  www.lhf.org

May 10:  May Day History and Traditions - Western Historic Trails Center, Council Bluffs, IA - The history of May Day traditions and customs.  www.iowahistory.org/sites

May 10-17:  Celebrate CB and Annual Sanctioned BBQ Contest - Council Bluffs, IA - Citywide activities including carnival, parade and more.  www.cbevents.com

May 11:  Chip in for the Children Golf Tournament - Council Bluffs, IA - Golf tournament to benefit Children's Square, U.S.A. www.childrenssquare.org/pages/golf.html

May 15-31:  Kiss Me Kate - Council Bluffs, IA - Fridays and Saturdays at the Chanticleer Theater, 830 Franklin Ave.  www.chanticleertheater.com

May 16:  Logan Village Green - Logan, Iowa - Entertainment, children's activities, craft and flea market, fire truck rides, petting zoo, antique tractor display, food.  712-644-2863

May 16:  Spring Citywide Yard Sale - Bedford, IA - btimes@frontiernet.net

May 18, 25:  Creston Farmers Market - Creston, IA - Fresh produce, handcrafted items, entertainment, food in McKinley Park.   bczukowski@yahoo.com

May 19:  Red Oak Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament - Red Oak, IA - At the Red Oak Country Club.  Fourperson, 18-hole best-shot game.  www.redoakiowa.com

May 23-24:  Tivoli FEst -  Elk Horn, IA - Danish festival includes parade, folk dancing, Danish foods, arts and crafts, carnival, activities for children.  Tour the Danish Windmill, Bedstemor's Hus and the Danish Immigrant Museum.  www.danishwindmill.com

May 25:  Decoration Day at Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - Celebrate with a patriotic concert, town procession honoring the Union's fallen heroes and baseball game with 1870s rules.  www.lhf.org 

June

June 1, 8, 15, 22 29:  Creston Farmers Market - Creston, IA - Fresh produce, handcrafted items, entertainment, food in McKinley Park.  bczukowski@yahoo.com

June 16, 23, 30:  Lawn Chair Nights - Afton, IA - Entertainment, food on the  Afton Square.  actyhall@iowatelecom.net

June 6:  Kid's Fishing Derby - Neola, IA - Bring the family to Arrowhead Park for an afternoon of outdoore fun.  Free-fishing weekend - license not required for Iowa residents.  www.pottcoconservation.com

June 7:  Red Oak Ambassador's Annual Flight Breakfast - At the Red Oak Airport - www.redoakiowa.com

June 11-14:  Glenn Miller Festival - Clarinda, IA - 34th annual festival includes several big band concerts, panel discussions, stage shows, the Glenn Miller Orchestra  www.glennmiller.org  712-542-2461

June 13:  Citywide Garage Sale - Creston, IA - chamber@crestoniowachamber.com

June 13-14:  LHF Family Weekend:  Fit as a Farmer - Living History Farms, Urbandale, IA - Artist or musician performance, hands-on activities, 1875 rules baseball game on Sunday.  www.lhf.org

June 14:  Patriotic 50th Anniversary Party - Glenwood, IA - Patriotic music, car show, food and fun.  www.millscountymuseum.org

June 15-20:  Donna Reed Festival, Denison, IA - Workshops spanning a broad range of study including acting, musical theater, screenwriting, sitcoms, voice, production and more.  www.donnareed.org

June 18, 25:  Music in the Park - Missouri Valley, IA - Free music in the Missouri Valley City Park.  chamberofcommerce1@juno.com

June 19-21:  AMVETS Antique Show and Walk -  Walnut, IA - More than 300 antique dealers in Walnut's turn-of-the-century downtown.   www.walnutantiqueshow.com  

June 19-21:  Military Appreciation Weekend - Council Bluffs, IA - Historical presentations, exhibits and activities at the Western Historic Trails Center.  www.iowahistory.org/sites

June 20-21:  Railroad Days - Council Bluffs, IA - Visit the Dodge House, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, RailsWest Railroad Museum and other local attractions.  www.omaharailroadddays.com

June 26-28:  Red Oak Junction Days - Red Oak, IA - Community heritage celebration.  www.redoakiowa.com

June 26-29:  Air Race Classic - Atlantic, IA - Women's air race from Colorado to Iowa.  www.airraceclassic.org

June 27:  McKinley Park Concert - Creston, IA - Bands, refreshments, in beautiful McKinley Park.  www.mckinleylakepark.org

June 27:  Creston Airport Fly-In - Creston, IA - Enjoy breakfast, airplanes from various eras and displays.   641-782-2383

June 27:  1850 Pioneer Wedding at Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - A pioneer wedding ceremony, dancing and wedding cake at the 1850 farm.  www.lhf.org

June 28:  Afton Pre-Fourth of July Celebration - Afton, IA - Games, entertainment, great food.  www.aftoniowa.com

June 28:  Garden Walk - Council Bluffs, IA - 17th annual Dodge House summer garden walk.  Tour the historic General Dodge House and several area gardens.  Continental breakfast.  www.dodgehouse.org

July

July 6, 13, 20, 27:  Creston Farmers Market -  Creston, IA - Fresh produce, handcrafted items, entertainment, food in McKinley Park.  bczukowski@yahoo.com

July 6, 13, 27:  Afton Lawn Chair Nights -   Afton, IA - Entertainment, food on the Afton Square.  actyhall@iowatelecom.net

July 1-4:  10,000 Crestonians Fourth of July Celebration - Creston, IA - Street dance, carnival, parade, talent show, tractor pull, great food, fireworks. www.crestoniowachamber.com 

July 2, 9:  Music in the Park - Missouri Valley, IA - Free music in the Missouri Valley City Park.  chamberofcommerce1@juno.com

July 3:  Clarinda A's Fireworks Display - Clarinda, IA - Fireworks display following the Clarinda A's baseball game.   712-542-4272

July 3:  Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration - Council Bluffs, IA - Family fun and games at the Western Historic Trails Center  www.iowahistory.org/sites

July 3-4:  Independence Day Celebration - Manilla, IA - Bill Riley talent show, street dance, games, parade, food, fireworks.   712-654-9923

July 3-5:  Exira Fourth of July Celebration - Exira, IA - Carnival, parade, food, fun and games, entertainment, fireworks.   jhp@metc.net

July 4:  Creston Pioneer Day - Creston, IA - Explore turn-of-the-century rural school, church, depot, printing shop, general store, museum and more.  www.crestoniowachamber.com

July 4:  July Fourth Celebration - Bedford, IA - Pancake breakfast, parade, barbecue on the courthouse lawn.  www.bedford-iowa.com

July 4:  Kiwanis Duck Race - Red Oak, IA - Annual duck race down the Nishnabotna River.  712-623-4988

July 4-5:  Independence Day Celebration at the Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - Enjoy an old-fashioned celebration including an 1875 Independence  Day parade, family games, music and an 1875-rules baseball game.   www.lhf.org

July 13-19:  Pottawattamie County Fair - Avoca, IA - 4-H, FFA and opepn-class exhibits; midway, vendors, grandstand events at the Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds.  www.pottcountyfair.com

July 16-19:  Crawford County Fair - Denison, IA - 712-263-5621

July 16-19:  Taylor County Fair - Bedford, IA - Queen contest, tractor pull, pie and cake contests, bull riding, demolition derby.   www.taylorcountyfair.net

July 16-17:  The Rumbles Street Dance - Clarinda, IA - Favorite Midwest rock and roll band.  www.clarinda.org

July 18-23:  Union County Fair - Afton, IA - Exhibits, livestock display, evening entertainment.  641-344-4640

July 19-25:  RAGBRAI - Across Iowa - (The Des Moines) Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.  A seven-day, 500-mile bicycle ride.  www.ragbrai.org

July 21-26:  Page County Fair - Clarinda, IA - 4-H and FFA livestock judging, live entertainment and open class judging.   712-542-5171

July 21-26:  Montgomery County Fair - Red Oak, IA - 4-H exhibits, business displays, demolition derby.  712-370-0466

July 22-26:  Westfair:  West Pottawattamie County Fair - Council Bluffs, IA - National country music performers, exciting daredevil entertainment,, midway rides, automotive area events and 4-H competitions.  www.westfairevents.com

July 22-26:  Harrison County Fair - Missouri Valley, IA - Now in its 151st year, the fair offers grandstand shows, tractor pull, demolition derby, carnival rides, free entertainment, livestock and 4-H exhibits.   www.harrisoncofair.com

July 25:  McKinley Park Festival - Creston, IA - Talent show, entertainment, auction, food, kids' games and fireworks in McKinley Park.  www.mckinleylakepark.org

July 25-26:  Lewis & Clark White Catfish Camp Living History Weekend - Council Bluffs, IA - Lewis & Clark Trail presentations and reenactments at the Western Historic Trails Center.  www.iowahistory.org/site

July 31-Aug 2:  59th Annual Operation T-Bone - Audubon, IA - Fireworks, fun run/walk, crafts and flea market, hamburger feed, children's games and free entertainment in city park, parade, firemen's water fights, chili cook-off.  www.auduboniowa.org

July 31-Aug 2:  Clarinda Summer Musical - Clarinda, IA - Clarinda Community Theatre. 712-542-3077

August

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31:  Creston Farmers Market - Creston, IA - Fresh produce, handcrafted items, entertainment, food in McKinley Park.   bczukowski@yahoo.com

Aug 6, 13, 20, 27:  Entertainment in the Park - Red Oak, IA - Entertainment in downtown Red Oak.  www.redoakiowa.com

Aug 1-2:  Living History Farms Family Weekend:  Grain Harvest - Urbandale, IA - Artist or musician performance, hands-on activities, 1875 rules baseball games on Sunday.  www.lhf.org

Aug 4, 11:  Lawn Chair Nights - Afton, IA - Food and entertainment in the park.  www.aftoniowa.com  641-347-5224

Aug 8:  Victorian Funeral at Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - Explore Victorian-era funeral rituals in the 1875 town of Walnut Hill.  The family prepares the parlor at the Tangen House with traditions such as stopping clocks, and funeral invitations.  Join the solemn funeral procession led by a horse-drawn hearse from the house to New Hope Cemetery.  The Walnut Hill Choral Society will sing period hymns and sentimental songs.  www.lhf.org

Aug 9:  Night Sky Event - Honey Creek, IA - Led by members of the Omaha Astronomical Society, participants will have the opportunity to observe the Perseid's Meteor Shower from a Loess Hills ridge top.  Bring blankets, lawn chairs and binoculars to Hitchcock Nature Center.  www.pottcoconservation.com

Aug 13-23:  Iowa State Fair - Des Moines, IA - America's classic state fair and Iowa's largest event.  www.iowastatefair.com

Aug 14-16:  Across the Border Raid Bike Rally - Bedford, IA - Biker events, fun run, live music, poker run, bike show.  Ages 21 and up.  www.acrosstheborderraid.com

Aug 15:  Real Maple Syrup Pancake Feed - Hancock, IA - The maple trees at Botna Bend Park are tapped and the sap boiled down for syrup.  Enjoy a full breakfast.  www.pottcoconservation.com

Aug 15:  Red Oak Old Car Day - Red Oak, IA - Classic and modern vehicles around the Red Oak Square.  www.redoakiowa.com/member/classychassiscarshow

Aug 15:  AtlanticFest - Atlantic, IA - Live entertainment, food, craft show.   Motorcycle, car, tractor and sound show.  www.atlanticiowa.com

Aug 22:  Black Squirrel  Triathlon - Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, IA - Open water swim, bike ride on city trails, run around the lake.  www.cbevents.com

Aug 22-23:  Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment and Burial Ceremony - Sioux City, IA - An 1804 living history encampment featuring reenactors, camp equipment and firearms like those used by the Lewis & Clark expedition during their stay along the banks of the Missouri River.  Reenactors in full dress uniform recreate the 1804 burial of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member of the Lewis & Clark expedition to die during the journey.  www.siouxcitymuseum.org/sgt_floyd.asp

Aug 29-30:  Keg Creek Days - Glenwood, IA - Antique tractor show, museum and Earth Lodge tours, food, fun and games.  www.millscountymuseum.org

September

Sep 7, 14, 21, 28 - Creston Farmers Market - Creston, IA - Fresh produce, handcrafted items, entertainment, food in McKinley Park.  bczukowski@yahoo.com

Sep 4-7:  99th Annual Labor Day Celebration - Essex, IA - Demolition derby, flea market, parade, street dances, ATV races, antique tractors.  www.essexiowa.com

Sep 5:  Monarch Tagging - Honey Creek, IA - Attend Hitchcock's annual monarch tagging program and learn more about these fascinating creatures.  Participants will learn how to tag monarchs and have the opportunity to catch and tag them in the wild.   Nets, tags and refreshments provided.  www.pottcoconservation.com

Sep 11-13:  Fields of Flight - Council Bluffs, IA - Multiple balloons in competition.  Night glow, refreshments and music.  www.ditmarsorchard.com

Sep 12:  Kids Fest in the Valley - Missouri Valley, IA - Childrens rides and games, food, inflatables, pony rides, and the Little Watson Steam Train.  www.missourivalleychamber.com

Sep 12:  Lorimor Fall Festival - Lorimor, IA - Family activities, food, games.  lorimor1@grm.net

Sep 12:  First United Methodist Arts and Crafts Show - Red Oak, IA - 712-623-2367

Sep 12-13:  Carstens Farm Days - Shelby, IA - Enjoy steam engines powering antique threshing machinery, a parade, crafts, entertainment, as well as food galore.   Demonstrations will bring back memories and teach valuable lessons.  www.thefarmstead.org

Sep 12-13:  Living History Farms Family Weekend:  Tails and Trails - Urbandale, IA - Artist or musician performance, hands-on activities, 1875 rules baseball games on Sunday.  www.lhf.org

Sep 17-19:  Creative Gathering - Council Bluffs, IA - Music james, other special topics.  At the Western Historic Trails Center.  www.iowahistory.org/sites

Sep 18-20:  32nd Annual Creston/SW Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days - Creston, IA - Balloon races, parade of bands, craft fair, pet show, childen's pedal pull.  The second largest ballooning event in Iowa.   www.crestoniowachamber.com 

Sep 19:  Fall Townwide Yard Sale - Bedford, IA - btimes@frontiernet.net

Sep 25-26:  Coca-Cola Days - Atlantic, IA - One of the largest Coca-Cola conventions in the country, with hundreds of collectors meeting to share, swap and sell.   Tailgate party on Friday, show and museum on Saturday.  www.atlanticiowa.com

Sep 26:  Fall Hawk Watch Festival - Honey Creek, IA - Watch for migrating raptors at the Hitchcock Nature Center.  Live hawk demonstrations, hikes in the Loess Hills, children's activities and refreshments. www.pottcoconservation.com 

Sep 26:  Exira Fall Festival - Exira, IA - Park-to-Park Pumpkin Run, food, entertainment, games, crafts.  712-268-2187

October

Oct 3:  Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree - Clarinda, IA - High school bands from Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska perform field and parade marching.  www.clarinda.org

Oct 3-4:  Family Weekend:  Fall Harvest at Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - Music, hands-on activities, 1875 rules baseball games on Sunday.  www.lhf.org 

Oct 4:  Nathanial Hamlin Park Fall Festival - Audubon, IA - Visit schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and museum.  Entertainment, food.  audubontourism@iowatelecom.net

Oct 11:  39th Annual Craft Show and Flea Market - Westside, IA - More than 30 vendors in several locations.  712-663-4559

Oct 17:  Haunted in the Bluffs - Council Bluffs, IA - Downtown Council Bluffs attractions will feature local storytellers spinning spooky tales.  www.dodgehouse.org

Oct 17:  50th Annual Craft Carnival - Clarinda, IA - Hundreds of booths of handmade crafts.  Shuttle buses to five locations.  www.clarinda.org

Oct 17-18:  Third Annual "Geocache the Bluffs" - Council Bluffs, IA - Geocache adventures throughout the Council Bluffs area.    www.iowahistory.org/sites   712-366-4900

Oct 22-31:  Family Halloween at Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - Horse-drawn wagon rides, treat stations, marshmallow roasts and fun stories.  www.lhf.org

Oct 25:  Halloween Hike - Honey Creek, IA - Halloween trail at Hitchcock Nature Center.  Pumpkin Painting, modern-day apple bobbing, refreshments.   www.pottcoconservation.com

November

Nov 24-Dec 31:  Christmas at the Historic General Dodge House - Council Bluffs, IA - View 25 uniquely decorated trees during the season and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies on the weekends.  www.dodgehouse.org 

Nov 13-15:  Antique Spectacular - Council Bluffs, IA - The finest in regional antique dealers.  www.antiquespectacular.com

Nov 15:  HawkWatch Eagle Migration - Honey Creek, IA - Hitchcock Nature Center is a top location for migrating eagles and other raptors.    www.pottcoconservation.com

Nov 15:  Native American Day at the Western Historic Trails Center - Council Bluffs, IA - Cultural presentations on American Indians.  www.iowahistory.org/sites

Nov 20:  A Bite of Bedford - Beford, IA - Holiday shopping, food samples, festive atmosphere.  bedfordareadc@frontiernet.net

Nov 27:  16th Annual Clarinda Lighted Christmas Parade - Clarinda, IA - More than 75 lighted floats decorate the town.  www.clarinda.org

Nov 27-28:  Antique Christmas Walk - Walnut, IA - Iowa's Antique City features decorated storefronts, holiday treats.   www.walnutiowa.org

Nov 27-29:  Holiday Celebration - Red Oak, IA - www.redoakiowa.com

Nov 27-29:  Julefest - Elk Horn, IA - Danish villages celebrate their heritage.  Visit specialty stores, winery, museums and craft fairs and enjoy Danish food specialties and live entertainment.   www.danishwindmill.com   712-764-7472

Nov 28:  Festival of Lights - Lorimor, IA - Holiday celebration in quaint rural Iowa town.  lorimor1@grm.net

December

Dec 1-Dec 31:  Christmas at the Historic General Dodge House - Council Bluffs, IA - View 25 uniquely decorated trees during the season and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies on the weekends.  www.dodgehouse.org 

Dec 3:  Nite with Santa - Council Bluffs, IA - Santa Claus welcomes young visitors to the General Dodge House.  www.dodgehouse.org

Dec 3-6:  No Place like Creston for the Holidays - Creston, IA - Comfort & Joy Quilt Show, festival of trees, lighted  Christmas parade, breakfast with Santa, holiday home tour.  www.crestoniowachamber.com

Dec 4-5:  Holiday on the Trails - Council Bluffs, IA - Holiday traditions for the family, a visit from St. Nick, shopping in the Trails West Gift Shop.   At the Western Historic  Trails Center.  www.iowahistory.org/sites

Dec 5:  Natrues Noel Craft Event - Honey Creek, IA - At the Hitchcock Nature Center.  www.pottcoconservation.com

Dec 5:  Afton Arts and Crafts Extravaganza - Afton, IA - Shop for the holidays in this wonderland of handmade items.  www.aftoniowa.com

Dec 11-12:  Holiday Open House at Living History Farms - Urbandale, IA - Visit the 1875-era farm town of Walnut Hill for a glimpse of Victorian holiday cheer.  www.lhf.org

Dec 12:  Creston Care Arts and Crafts Boutique - Creston, IA - Purchase handmade items and goodies to support the Creston Animal Rescue Group.   www.crestoniowachamber.com   641-782-7021

Dec 31:  First Night - Council Bluffs, IA - Downtown locations host musicians and artists for a family-friendly New Year's event.  Countdown to midnight in Bayliss Park.  www.cbevents.com

All Iowa information obtained from either the Council Bluffs Visitors Guide or the Iowa Tourism Office 2009 Calendar of Events.  For a free copy of the Calendar of Events, with information about the entire state of Iowa, visit www.traveliowa.com or call 1-800-345-IOWA.

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