County Events

Avoca

Avoca 4th of July Celebration

Parade with 100 – 120 entries. Bed races, kids games, food stands and small-town Independence Day spirit. Contact Rhonda Holst at 712-343-6697 for more information.

Pottawattamie County Fair

July 16-21
4-H, FFA and open-class exhibits; midway, vendors, grandstand events at the Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds in Avoca. Contact Deb Henningsen at 712-343-6220 or visit www.pottcountyfair.com for more information.

Country Music Jamboree

August 20-24
Country music fans can delight in this week long festival of country music at the Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds in Avoca. Several entertainers, contests, and family fun. Contact Deb Henningsen at 712-482-6220 for more information.

14th Annual Spring Country Music Festival

May 18, 19, and 20
Jam out all weekend at the East Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds in Avoca to country music. Food concessions, talent show, dancing and other events. For more information contact Deb Henningsen at 712-482-6220

Old Fashioned Christmas

November 29, 2008
Celebrate Christmas in Avoca! Enjoy treats, decorations with lights, soup supper, visits from Santa, and hayrack rides. Come see the Memory Tree located in the Library. Contact Rhonda Holst at 712-343-6697 for more information.

Carson

Carson Community Rodeo

July 31, August 1, 2, 2008
Small town rodeo where you can really get close to the action! Known for its big name stock and having some of the best cowboys, it's fun for the whole family. Visit www.carsonrodeo.com for more information.

15th Annual Christmas in Carson

December 3, 2008
Carson really shines when the city starts the Christmas season by lighting the traditional luminaries. Soup supper at the Community Building and shops open from 5 – 8 p.m. for all to enjoy the Christmas spirit. Santa even makes a visit! Contact City Hall at 712-484-3636 for more information.

Carter Lake

Carter Lake Community Days

June 28, 29
A weekend of events including parade, festival in the park, karaoke, and fireworks. Contact City Hall at 712-347-6320 for more information.

Hancock

Old Settlers Picnic

August 2, 3
Hancock’s annual community celebration in the city park adjacent to Botna Bend Park with its excellent camping facilities. Parade, food and beer stands, kids’ events and a softball tournament. Contact City Hall at 712-741-5665 for more information.

Maple Tree Tapping

March 1, 2008
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Botna Bend Park (Hancock, IA)- Visitors will learn about the process of maple tree tapping & have the opportunity to tap one for themselves. Please call 712-741-5465 for more information.

Real Maple Syrup Pancake Feed

August 16, 2008
8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Botna Bend Park (Hancock, IA) – Enjoy grilled pancakes topped with real maple syrup, sausage, coffee and orange juice. Free will donations accepted. Free will donation accepted. Please call 712-741-5465 for more information.

Honey Creek

Owl Prowl

February 22, 2008
7:00 P.M.
Give a hoot and join the Hitchcock Nature Center for a nighttime hike to learn more about these fascinating nocturnal creatures. Led by Jim Meyer, this evening hike will include owl calling and more. All ages welcome. For more information please contact the Hitchcock Nature Center at 712-545-3283.

Night Sky Program

August 9, 2008
8:30 p.m.
Hitchcock Nature Center (Honey Creek, IA) - View the Perseid’s Meteor Shower from a Loess Hills ridge top. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and binoculars for an evening of star-studded skies. Cost: $2.00 per person Please call 712-545-3283 for more information.

Monarch Tagging

September 6, 2008
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Hitchcock Nature Center (Honey Creek, IA) - Come & learn more about these fascinating creatures. Visitors will have the opportunity to catch and tag monarch butterflies in the park. Nets, tags and refreshments provided. Please call 712-545-3283 for more information.

HawkWatch Festival

September 27, 2008
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Hitchcock Nature Center (Honey Creek, IA) - Come join HawkWatchers and keep your eyes on the skies for migrating raptors. HawkWatch festival will include bird activities, hikes in the hills, scheduled programs, and refreshments served. Expert birders will be on hand to help visitors with bird identification. Festival Cost: $3.00 per person. Please call 712-545-3283 for more information.

Halloween Hike

October 26, 2008
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Hitchcock Nature Center (Honey Creek, IA) - Wear your costumes and bring little ones for a special Halloween trail at Hitchcock Nature Center. Other spooktacular events include pumpkin carving & painting, apple bobbing, and don’t forget the refreshments. Cost: $5.00 per family. Contact 712-545-3283 for more information.

Eagle Migration

November 16, 2008
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Come join the Hitchcock Nature Center for the annual Eagle Migration. Recognized as one of the top 5 HawkWatches in the world for viewing migrating bald eagles, and November is the ideal time to view these majestic animals on their journey south. Please call 712-545-3283 for more information.

Macedonia

Donia Days

August 23, 2008
Come help celebrate Donia Days in Macedonia. Activities include a car show, parade, buffalo chip throwing contest, kid’s games, and Fireman’s Dinner. Both a teen and adult dance round out the days events. For more information contact City Hall at 712-486-2323.

Minden:

Carstens Farm Days

September 6, 7, 2008
The signature event of Carstens 1880 Farmstead, where Iowa farm history comes alive. Enjoy steam engines powering antique threshing machinery, a parade, crafts, entertainment, as well as food galore. The buildings will be alive with demonstrations that will bring back memories for older visitors and teach valuable lessons to the younger ones. Call 712-544-2638 (afternoon), 712-544-2341 (evening) or visit www.thefarmstead.org for more information.

German Heritage Day

Held last weekend in Sept.
Bring your lawn chair for an afternoon listening to your favorite Polka Tune, while enjoying German Style Food. Something for all ages. Games for the kids, live entertainment, and browse through the old Minden artifacts and pictures. For more information on the date and time contact Mary Michels at 712-483-2381.

Neola

Hoo Doo Days

August 30, 31, September 1, 2008
No small town celebration is more infamous than Hoo Doo Days in Neola! Labor Day weekend events include a teen street dance Saturday night, lawn mower tractor pulls on Sunday and street dance for adults featuring the “Fork in the Road” band. The parade on Labor Day starts at 11 p.m. and is followed by midway rides, tractor pulls, and a car show. Food and beer stands. Contact City Hall at 712-485-2307 for more information.

Kid’s Fishing Derby

June 7, 2008
1:00 – 3:00 P.M.
Arrowhead Park (Neola, IA) – This event is held in conjunction with Iowa’s free fishing weekend, so a license is not required for Iowa residents. All kid’s 16 & under are welcome to enter our annual fishing derby. All children entered will receive prizes & free gifts. For more information and the time please call 712-485-2295.

Oakland

Fall Festival

Held in Aug.
Oakland is reviving and old tradition, their annual fall festival! Activities include, tractor show, games for the kids, outdoor open market, and entertainment. The evening events will end with a dinner and variety show. For more information on the dates and time contact Randi Henderson at 712-482-3188.

Christmas in Oakland

December 6, 2008
1:00 – 3:00 P.M.
Come celebrate the Christmas Season in Oakland. Vendor shopping at the Community Center, games and treats for the kids, door prizes, and a visit from Santa. Please contact Randi Henderson at 1-712-482-3188 for more information.

Treynor

Treynor Days

June 28, 29, 2008
A fun-filled couple of days with a run/walk, parade, golf tournament, car show, flea market, carnival, supper, dance with live band, Sunday church services and breakfast. For more information contact City Hall at 712-487-3787.

Walnut

26th Annual AMVET’s Antique Show and Walk

June 13, 14, 15
Get your antique fix in Walnut! This is one of the largest and finest antique shows in the Midwest with an estimated 35,000 visitors. Dealers bring in antiques ranging from furniture, glassware, quilts, dolls, fishing lures, and more. Contact 712-784-2100 or visit www.walnutiowa.org for more information.

16th Annual Antique City Car Show

August 3, 2008
Walnut’s beautiful Antique City Drive is the site for this amazing display of antique cars. Contact Ed Ransom at 712-784-3892 for more information

27th Annual Christmas Walk

November 28, 29, 30, 2008
Downtown thousands of lights outline the turn-of-the-century storefronts, while a live towering Christmas tree dominates the brick streets. Sip on spiced cider while shopping in one of Walnut’s many antiques shops or in displays by visiting dealers in this beautiful setting. Horse-drawn carriage and sleigh rides. Special store hours. Contact 712-784-2100 for more information.

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