Iowa’s change of seasons brings a multitude of events in each city and town of Dallas County. Bicyclists enjoy the scenic rides even in the cold of winter, while visitors from afar visit numerous Dallas County communities for their famous festivals in warmer months. Farmer’s markets bring country fresh goods to town, and each community shares the holiday spirit with open houses, parades and celebrations as the year winds down.
Songbird Sunday
Sunday, April 10, 1:30-3 p.m.
Forest Park Museum 14581 K Ave. Perry
515.465.3577
www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
After months of a bleak, quiet landscape, songbirds provide a welcome burst of color and song. Enjoy a range of hands-on activity stations suitable for all ages that will enhance your visit to our special springtime exhibit. No registration is required.
Prairie Rescue-Earth Day Volunteer Project
Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m.-Noon
Kuehn Conservation Area, Earlham
515.465.3577
Celebrate Earth Day with us. The Prairie Rescue is a volunteer project that invites you to personally get involved in prairie restoration right here in your backyard at a newly acquired tract of land at Kuehn. Join us to experience the joy that comes from investing yourself in the healing of our wild home. Bring your gloves, work clothes and loping shears. Registration is required for this program.
Perry Fine Arts: Drake University Students
Sunday, April 17, 2 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
515.465.4601
Students from Drake will be proforming classical music as part of their senior recital. Free will offering.
Perry Concert Series - Sweet Harmony
Wednesday, April 20, 2 p.m.
This popular women’s quartet will be performing a variety of music as they make a return trip to Perry
Maka Ochante - Nature Explore Family Time
Saturday, April 30, 2-4 p.m.
Kuehn Conservation Area, Earlham
515.465.3577
www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than exploring nature as a family? Maka Ochante is a Lakota word that means knowing your place or having a sense of your place. Families will touch, see, smell and hear the lessons at one of our many outdoor classrooms and start to gain Maka Ochante, a sense of place. These maka ochante family times will help children to discover the wonders of nature and inspire families to explore the outdoors together. Activities will be used from the Nature Explore program and will be geared toward families with youth ages 5 to 10. Registration is required.
DeSoto CItywide Garage Sale
Saturday, April 30 • DeSoto
Pudgie Pies
Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Kuehn Conservation Area, Earlham
515.465.3577
www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
Making pudgie pies is a fun and easy way for people of all ages to prepare a delicious meal over a fire. A pie iron is an extremely versatile and easy tool to use for campfire cooking. Its most basic uses are to make pizza, grilled cheese, and fruit pies, but with a little creativity, the meal options a pie iron provides is endless. Cost $5. Registration is required.
9th Annual “Run Like a Fox”
Saturday, May 7, 8 a.m.
McCreary Community Building
515.465.5621
The Perry Park and Recreation Department will host the “Run Like a Fox” run to benefit the Leon Fox Scholarship Fund. Start/Finish:McCreary Community Building, race includes: 10K, 5K, 2-mile kid’s race. Fee $12 prior to April 26th, otherwise $15. Participants can register for the run/walk at the McCreary Center.
Cemetery Walk
Wednesday, May 11, 6 p.m.
Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry
515.465.2481
www.perryia.org
Violet Hill Cemetery Perry Historic Preservation Commission and Violet Hill Memory Lane Association will host a guided walking tour in Perry’s Violet Hill Cemetery. Participants will visit the graves of several of Perry’s well-known residents and study examples of gravestones and burial symbols. Information on gravestone restoration will also be presented. Cost is $5 per person. For advance tickets, call Jeanette at 515.465.2481.
Pieathlon
Saturday, May 14th, 6:30 a.m. to noon
Waukee Family YMCA, Waukee
515-720-1349
www.pieathlon.org
The PIEATHLON – a tri for the cure is a family fun / fundraiser event focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting cancer awareness programs, both locally and nationally. Participants may bike, run/walk or TRI (timed). The PIEATHLON bolsters the efforts of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the John Stoddard Cancer Center, Mercy Cancer Center and the YMCA cancer related programs as well as local Live-strong and Live-well programs.
William J. Wagner Gallery Open House
Sunday, May 15, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Forest Park Museum, 14581 K Ave., Perry
515.465.3577 • www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
We gather to remember the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of Bill Wagner, an architect who devoted a lifetime to making significant old buildings vibrant with life for today and the future. The Gallery showcases pen and ink sketches, preserves numerous files on his landmark restoration projects, maintains 30 years of calendar production and encases his collection of nearly 900 books.
Cemetery Walk
Saturday, May 21, 1 p.m.
Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry
515.465.2481 • www.perryia.org
Violet Hill Cemetery Perry Historic Preservation Commission and Violet Hill Memory Lane Association will host a guided walking tour in Perry’s Violet Hill Cemetery. Participants will visit the graves of several of Perry’s well-known residents and study examples of gravestones and burial symbols. Information on gravestone restoration will also be presented. Cost is $5 a person. For advance tickets, call 515.465.2481.
An Introduction to Canoeing, Flat Water And River
Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
Beaver Lake and Middle Raccoon River
515.465.3577 • www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
Once a month, May through October, DCCB invites you to paddle one of the Raccoon Rivers in our county. Great, but if you don’t paddle, you miss these great programs. Time to fix this shortcoming! This workshop will provide non-paddlers with the skills necessary to feel at home in a canoe. We will begin on flat water at Beaver Lake, just north of Dexter. In the afternoon we will then challenge you to transfer your newly acquired paddling skills to a moving water setting as we float a section of the Middle Raccoon River. Rookie paddlers will be paired up with veteran river runners and will be shepherded downstream. By the end of the day, you will possess the confidence and skills needed to join us the rest of the year for our monthly floats. Registration is required.
Waukee Farmer’s Market
June 1 - Sept. 28
Every Wednesday at Triangle Park, 4 - 7 p.m.
515.987.1552 • www.waukee.org
Food, produce, vendors, baked goods and entertainment
Redfield Farmer’s Market
June 2 – Sept. 29
Every Thursday at the Redfield City Park
www.redfieldia.com
Perry Farmer’s Market
June 2 - Sept. 29, 4-7 p.m.
Every Thursday in Downtown Perry
515.240.4065
Certified Farmer’s Market offering baked goods, produce and entertainment.
Art in the Park
Saturday, June 4, 1-5 p.m.
Mound Park, Dallas Center
515.201.1358 • www.dallascenter.com
Featuring Iowa Artists, who will be selling acrylic paintings, photography, contemporary pieces, stained glass hangings, crystal jewelry and yard art. Music, food, wine tasting from two Iowa vineyards and great kid’s activities. No charge for the artists or for you to attend! Drawing for $50 Visa Gift Card. Grab a blanket and come enjoy wonderful people, toe tapping music, great art and a lovely park!
White Pole Road Marathon Sale
Saturday, June 4, 8 a.m. Dexter
515.523.2026
Starting at 8 a.m., rain or shine, it’s 26 miles of “wheeling and dealing” along the White Pole Road. This free sale is open for all visitors, residents and businesses to buy and sell miscellaneous merchandise along the route. A flyer with featured sale items and locations can be picked up in each town prior to sale day. For more information, contact Audrey Wells.
Free Fishing!
Saturday, June 4, 9-11 a.m.
Glissman Conservation Area, Adel
515.465.3577 • www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
Register your family for a morning of fishing fun during Iowa’s annual free fishing weekend. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to teach participants of all ages how to bait a hook, cast a line, catch, land and identify fish around our 7.5 acre pond. We have a limited number of rods and reels for loan, or bring yours. Bait provided. Preregistration is required.
7th Annual Brick Street Classic Car Show
Saturday, June 4, Adel
515.993.5472 • www.chamber@adelpartners.org
Held the first Saturday of June each year, the Brick Street Classic Car Show in downtown Adel boasts more than 100 entries of the restored classics. Visitors can view the cars and talk with the owners about these wonderful treasures.
Dutch Oven Cooking
Sunday, June 5, 5-8 p.m.
Kuehn Conservation Area, Earlham
515.465.3577 • www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
There’s nothing that tastes better than a meal cooked outdoors. Join us for a Dutch oven meal, which was the main cook kit for the Lewis and Clark expedition. You will learn Dutch oven basics and then we’ll prepare our Dutch oven dinner. It works just as well today as it did then, and is still being used by a surprising number of people. Cost $5. Registration is required.
Governor’s Days: A Funtastic Event
Thursday - Saturday, June 9-11
Waterworks Park, Grimes
515.986.5770 • chamber@ci.grimes.ia.us
This summer fun festival, located in the Governor’s District of Grimes, is a weekend loaded with food, music, vendors, midway, carnival, car show, beer garden and fireworks.
Nite Hike
Friday, June 10, 8:30-10 p.m.
Kuehn Conservation Area, Earlham
515.465.3577 • www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
Explore the wilds of Dallas County’s prairie, woodland and sky by night instead of day. This is not your typical hike as your light will be the stars and your music will be nocturnal birds and insects. Come discover what animals are active at night, how a prairie and woodland sounds different at night, and what constellations are over your head at this time of year. This program is weather dependent. Registration is required.
White Pole Road Cruise Night
Saturday, June 11
641.524.2442
The White Pole Road is excited for this new event held in conjunction with Dexter’s Cruise Night. Polish up your car-- new or old - and join us as we scoop the loop! For more information, please contact Steve Kroeger at 641-524-2442.
Hiawatha Classic Bike Ride
Saturday, June 18
Pattee Park
515.465.5621
A 40-mile ride through the rural landscapes and conty blacktops. The ride starts and finishes at the south end of Pattee Park. Fee $30 and includes T-shirt, map, sag wagon, rest stops and breakfast at the park. Registration forms are available at McCreary Center, City Hall, and Chamber Office.
All Iowa Wine Festival
Saturday, June 18, Adel
515.993.5472 • www.alliowawinefestival.com
The 5th annual event in Adel has grown substantially, with eight to 10 Iowa wineries showcased along with live music and great food. Attendees receive free wine sample tickets and a commemorative wine glass. Wine may be purchased by the bottle from the participating wineries.
Relay For Life
Saturday & Sunday, June 18-19, 7a.m. -7 p.m.
Kaufman Track and Field, Perry
515.201.9215
A special night to honor cancer survivors, caregivers and those who have lost their battle or continue to struggle with cancer. Fun night of games, prizes, entertainment, memory laps and much more!
Meet Me in Minburn Concert with Exit 113
Saturday, June 18, 7 p.m.
Meek Park, Minburn
www.minburn.org
The Minburn Community Betterment Group (MCBG) presents the first of three summer concerts on the Big Heart Stage. Community groups serve a meal before the concert for a free will donation. The roller rink and concession stand are open during the show. Exit 113 likes to swing, so feel free to jump, jive and jitterbug. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends and relax in the park.
Friday Fest Music in the Park
Friday, June 24, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Pattee Park Bandshell
515.465.4601 • www.perryia.org
Bring your picnic basket, cooler and lounge chairs to enjoy music in Pattee Park.
Redfield Old Settlers Celebration
Friday - Sunday, June 24 - 26
515.833.2512 • www.redfieldia.com
Enjoy carnival rides and games, parade, fireworks, food, music, and the Bill Riley Talent Show. Street dance, bingo, horse pulls, arm wrestling and much, much more. Visit our website for more information.
26th Annual Redfield Dexter Alumni Banquet
Sunday, June 26
515.833.2512
The 26th Annual Banquet will be held at the West Central Valley Middle School building at 12:30 pm. The Class of 1961 will be honored for its 50th year and the Class of 1986 for its 25th. Please contact Deb Light at the Redfield City Hall.
Waukee Farmer’s Market
June 1 - Sept. 28
Every Wednesday at Triangle Park, 4 - 7 p.m.
515.987.1552 • www.waukee.org
Food, produce, vendors, baked goods and entertainment.
Redfield Farmer’s Market
June 2 – September 29
Every Thursday at the Redfield City Park
www.redfieldia.com
Perry Farmer’s Market
June 2 - Sept. 29, 4-7 p.m.
Every Thursday in Downtown Perry
515.240.4065
Certified Farmer’s Market offering baked goods, produce and entertainment.
Miller Walk, Run and Roll
Saturday, July 2, 8 a.m.
Perry Family Dentistry
515.465.3501
In memory of the Miller family that lost their lives in a plane crash, the Miller Walk, Run and Roll was established as a fundraiser for a specific cause each year to assist local organizations, schools, parks, churches, rescue units and much more.
36th Musical Extravaganza and Ice Cream Social
Monday July 4, 2 p.m.
Perry First United Methodist Church
Enjoy this annual variety show and ice cream social. Perry Fine Arts concert series is part of the Perry Cultural District
Fourth of July Celebration
Monday, July 4
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
515.465.4601 • www.perryia.org
Take part in Perry’s patriotic celebration that begins with the parade at noon followed by arts, crafts, food vendors and family activites in Pattee Park. Enjoy water fights, bingo, minature golf, kid’s games and live entertainment at the Pattee Park band shell, followed by our magnificent display of fireworks!
Minburn Independence Day Celebration
Monday, July 4
www.minburn.org
Concert at Meek Park on July 3 with the Sons of Gladys Kravitz, cinnamon rolls, parade, pie contest and auction, kid’s games and fireworks!
Fourth of July Celebration in Waukee
Monday, July 4
Centennial Park, Waukee
515.978.0007 • www.waukee.org
Parade 2 p.m., entertainment, blow-up activities and food vendors, fabulous fireworks and live music 6 – 9:30 p.m. Plan to celebrate your freedom at Centennial Park, Waukee.
Dallas County Fair
Thursday - Sunday, July 13 - 17
Dallas County Fairgrounds north of Adel
515.993.3728 • b-christensen@live.com
www.dallascountyfair.com
Livestock judging and exhibitions, live music, entertainment, chainsaw carving, food and vendors.
Meet Me in Minburn Concert with Crooked Mile
Saturday, July 16, 7 p.m.
Meek Park, Minburn
www.minburn.org
The Minburn Community Betterment Group (MCBG) presents Crooked Mile on the Big Heart Stage. Community groups serve a meal before the concert for a free will donation. The roller rink and concession stand are open during the show.
Granger Daze
Saturday, July 16, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Centennial Park, Granger
515.999.2210 • www.grangeriowa.gov
Come watch an awesome parade and enjoy great food at the various concessions. Join in numerous activities that include fire department water fights, vendors, games for adults and children. Socialize and dance with some great bands.
Friday Fest in Perry
Friday, July 22, 6 - 9 p.m.
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
515.465.4601
www.perryia.org or www.coonvalleyradio.com
Bring your picnic basket, cooler, and lounge chairs to enjoy music in Pattee Park!
Dexter Christmas in July Bazaar
Saturday, July 23, Dexter
515.758.2395 or 515-371-2356
www.roundhouse.org
Do your Christmas shopping and visit the variety of vendors offering their goods at the Roundhouse.
White Pole Road Tractor Ride
July 30 Dexter • 641.740.0340
The White Pole Road “Tractor Guys” are back and planning a whole new route! Drivers and spectators are encouraged to attend. August 2011
Waukee Farmer’s Market
June 1 - Sept. 28
Every Wednesday at Triangle Park, 4 - 7 p.m.
515.987.1552 • www.waukee.org
Food, produce, vendors, baked goods and entertainment
Redfield Farmer’s Market
June 2 – Sept. 29
Every Thursday at the Redfield City Park
www.redfieldia.com
Perry Farmer’s Market
June 2 - Sept. 29, 4-7 p.m.
Every Thursday in Downtown Perry
515.240.4065
Certified Farmer’s Market offering baked goods, produce and entertainment.
Highway 141 Garage Sale
Friday & Saturday - Aug. 5 and 6, 8 a.m.
Grimes/Granger/Woodward/Perry/Dawson/Manilla
515.986.5770 • www.grimesiowa.com
brianb@ci.grimes.ia.us
The towns, residents and businesses along Hwy. 141 in Iowa welcome you to the annual 141 Garage Sale and Flea Market event. This two-day event should prove to be enjoyable for everyone.
Hogust Fest
Saturday, Aug. 6,
DeSoto Little Bridge Park
Parade at 9 a.m. followed by a community picnic and roast from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
31st Annual Adel Sweet Corn Festival
Saturday, Aug. 14
515.993.5472 • www.adelpartners.org
The 31st annual Sweet Corn Festival in Adel provides seven tons of delicious, locally-grown Deardorff sweet corn freshly shucked, cleaned and cooked. The corn is provided free of charge by the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce. More than 95 street vendors, including arts/crafts and a diverse array of food, add to the ambience of the festival along with live entertainment throughout the day and a beer garden in the evening. Dallas County’s largest parade kicks off the festival.
Friday Fest in Perry
Friday, Aug. 19, 6 - 9 p.m.
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
515.465.4601
www.perryia.org or www.coonvalleyradio.com
Bring your picnic basket, cooler and lounge chairs to enjoy music in Pattee Park!
Dallas Center Fall Festival
Friday & Saturday, Aug. 26-27
Dallas Center
515-201-1358 • www.dallascenter.com
An exciting time, full of games for all ages, scavenger hunt, Frisbee golf, garden tractor pull, FIREWORKS on Friday night, tournaments, food and more food, carnival rides, pie contests, music, a street dance and even a cow pie drop. You gotta see this! A great weekend for family and school reunions too!
Dexter Fall Festival
Friday - Sunday, Aug. 26-28
515.210.3150 • mikboyle@wildblue.net
www.dexteriowa.org or www.roundhouse.org
Aug. 26 Potluck, Pie Contest and Auction at the Roundhouse Aug. 27 Breakfast and Bingo Aug. 28 Fall Festival Style(less) Show
Waukee Fest
Saturday, Aug. 27
City Of Waukee
515.987.4552 • www.waukee.org
A one-day festival with activities and fun for all ages. Parade, children’s activities, food and entertainment fill the day.
Native American Celebration - Prairie Awakening
Saturday, Sept. 10
Kuehn Conservation Area
515.465.3577 • www.conservation.co.dallas.ia.us
Waukee Farmer’s Market
June 1 - Sept. 28
Every Wednesday at Triangle Park, 4 - 7 p.m.
515.987.1552 • www.waukee.org
Food, produce, vendors, baked goods and entertainment
Redfield Farmer’s Market
June 2 – September 29
Every Thursday at the Redfield City Park
Perry Farmer’s Market
June 2 - Sept. 29, 4-7 p.m.
Every Thursday in Downtown Perry
515.240.4065
Certified Farmer’s Market offering baked goods, produce and entertainment.
“Viva Perry” Latino Festival
Sunday, Sept. 11, Noon - 6 p.m.
Downtown Perry, Hispanic United for Perry
515.465.4601 • www.perryia.org
Honor Hispanic Culture Month by attending the Viva Perry Latino Festival. Bring family and friends to enjoy food, entertainment, inflatable games and dancing! For more information, call 515.491.3621 or 515.490.2298.
Linden Daze
Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 17 & 18
641.744.2041
Saturday-Linden pioneers at library, Lions pancake breakfast, parade, craft booths and concessions, kid’s games, chess tournament, street dance with Clutterbilly at city park. Sunday- cowpie bingo, Mapa garden tractor pull and concessions.
Meet Me in Minburn Concert with Chad Elliott
Saturday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m.
Meek Park, Minburn
www.minburn.org
The Minburn Community Betterment Group closes its summer concerts on the Big Heart Stage. Community groups serve a meal before the concert for a free will donation. The roller rink and concession stand are open during the show. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and relax in the park. Chad is a phenomenal singer/songwriter/artist, on the Web at chadelliott.net.
Art on the Prairie in Perry
www.artontheprairie.org
Nov. 12, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Nov. 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Art on the Prairie 2011 will showcase artists’ work of a variety of media in five buildings in Perry: Hotel Pattee, Town Craft, Carnegie Library Museum, Security Bank Building and the new DMACC Campus. We will also be having student exhibits, storytelling and children’s art activities at the Perry Public Library. As in 2010, music will fill each building both days. This year musicians will be invited to jam at Hiawatha Station Saturday evening and when not scheduled during the day. A new addition this year is our Poet’s Corner.
Perry Holiday Open House
Friday - Sunday, Nov. 12 - 13
Downtown Historic District
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
515.465.4601 • www.perryia.org
The downtown area stores will host their annual Holiday Open House with festive specials, gift ideas, refreshments and door prizes. Enjoy the sights and smells of the Holidays in Perry!
Dexter Holiday Craft Bazaar at the Roundhouse
Saturday, Nov. 19
515.758.2395 or 515.210.3150
mikboyle@wildblue.net • www.roundhouse.org
The bazaar, held in the Dexter Roundhouse, features more than 40 tables of crafts, treasures, gifts for shopping enjoyment and lunch on the go.
Lighted Christmas Parade
Friday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m.
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
515.465.4601 • www.perryia.org
Enjoy the lighting of the community Christmas tree, carolers and lighted floats all decked out in holiday lights for the season. Then join Santa for hot chocolate and cookies following the parade at Hotel Pattee. Don’t miss the horse-drawn carriage rides!
Redfield Winterfest Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 3
515-833-2534 • www.redfieldia.com
Adel Business Holiday Open House
Friday, Dec. 3
515.993.5472 • www.adelpartners.org
Visit the businesses, tasting each of their wonderful holiday treats and collecting recipe cards. The open house also includes a visit from Santa, wagon rides, caroling, beautiful holiday lights and a lighted parade.
Dexter Old-Fashioned Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 4
515.210.3150
mikboyle@wildblue.net • www.roundhouse.org
Old-Fashioned Christmas for ages 1 to 101. Crafts and activities, Santa, cookie/candy walk and horse drawn wagon rides at the Dexter Roundhouse.
35TH Annual BRR – Bike Ride to Rippey
Saturday, Feb. 4
515.465.4601
www.perryia.org or www.bikeiowa.com
BRR – Bike Ride to Rippey starts and ends at McCreary Community Center. The BRR ride is a 24-mile round trip from Perry to Rippey and back to Perry. The ride continues no matter what the weather! BRR is also known as the “Original WINTER Ride” as well as the “Winter RAGBRAI Reunion.” Breakfast 7-10:30 a.m.; Registration 8-10 a.m.; Food, prizes, DJ, and raffle drawings 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
9th Annual Chocolate Walk
Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
515.465.4601 • www.perryia.org,/
Oooh-la-la…heavenly chocolate! The Perry area merchants hosts an annual Chocolate Walk the Saturday prior to Valentine’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chocolate Walk participants will sample a luscious chocolate treat at each participating store, while visiting Perry’s great array of shops and restaurants.