From the Wild West and Renaissance days of yore to “Star Trek” future ways and more, enterprising Eastern Iowa towns and organizations are gearing up for their busiest season under the sun.
No matter what your preference in food and fun, you’re bound to find a reason to celebrate.
Patriotism will be on parade during the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and Coralville’s 4thFEST, while Hawkeyes salute their black and gold at FRY Fest in September.
Sauerkraut, pickles, sweet corn, mushrooms, beef, hogs and Cajun critters wash down oh so nicely with ice-cold beer and pop, while history and heritage will bring out the best in Hoover
ball and lederhosen.
So get out your calendars — paper or digital — and jot down these dates to remember. Then keep watching for more on music, film fests and seasonal fare. We’ve only just begun to turn up the heat.
— Diana Nollen
MAY
Chalk the Walk, Mount Vernon
May 7 and 8: Madonnari Festival; juried and public chalk drawings on downtown streets. www.visitmvl.com
Houby Days, Cedar Rapids
May 13 to 15: Czech Village. Czech food, music, maypole dancing, noon parade Saturday, carnival rides, puppet show, folk dance festival. www.ncsml.org/Events/20110513/44/Houby-Days.aspx
Benz Beer Fest, Cedar Rapids
May 14: 1 to 5 p.m. outdoors, Benz, 501 Seventh Ave. SE. More than 100 brews from around the world, music, guest brewmasters. $15, includes souvenir tasting glass. American Heart Association benefit. www.benzbeveragedepot.com/content.asp?ID=2383&Date=5/14/2011
Marion Arts Festival
May 21: City Square Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Juried art exhibits, 5K race, demonstrations, art activities. www.marionartsfestival.com
Cajun Fest, Amana
May 28 and 29: Taste Louisiana Cajun & Zydeco Festival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Food, music, kids’ activities, carnival rides, shopping, demonstrations, dance lessons. Admission: $10 adults, $2 ages 6 to 12. www.cajunfest.net
Iowa Renaissance Festival, Middle Amana
May 28 to 30: Middle Amana Park. Historical re-enactment, jousting, theater, comedy, merchants, food. Admission: $10 adults, $6 children. www.iowarenfest.com
JUNE
Iowa City Arts Festival
June 3 to 5: On seven blocks in downtown Iowa City. 120 local and national artists, music, entertainment, kids’ activities, foods. www.summerofthearts.org
North Liberty Fun Days
June 9 to 12: Penn Meadows Park. Carnival rides, music, car show, truck pull.
Grant Wood Art Festival, Anamosa
June 12:10 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Anamosa. Juried art contest, music, student art and educational displays, kids’ activities. www.anamosachamber.org/grantwoodartfestival
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
June 12 to July 4: Music, baseball, ski shows, Loverboy concert June 18, Patriotic Pops concert June 19, food, games, contests, parade June 25, Cardboard Boat Regatta June 26, Balloon Glow June 28, pancake breakfast July 4, fireworks. www.freedomfestival.com
Hog Wild Days, Hiawatha
June 16 to 19: Guthridge Park. Contests, Saturday parade, music, food, carnival rides, flea market, 5K run, fireworks Sunday. www.hogwilddays.com
TrekFest XXVII, Riverside
June 24 and 25: Hall Park. Carnival rides, games, food, parade, contests, demolition derby, music, “Star Trek” trivia, sci-fi costume contest, fireworks Saturday. www.trekfest.com
Wild West Weekend, Cedar Rapids
June 25 and 26: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Old West re-enactors, food, kids’ bounty hunt. $8 adults; $4 ages 3 to 14; $1 off with a Freedom Festival button. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/pages/default.aspx
JULY
Coralville 4thFEST
July 2 to 4: S.T. Morrison Park. Carnival, entertainment, contests, food, July 4 parade and fireworks. Free concert Sunday with the Cedar Island Band, The Grass Roots and Herman’s Hermits. www.coralville.org/index.aspx?NID=310
Iowa City Jazz Festival
July 1 to 3: Down-town Iowa City. Well-known jazz musicians, up-and-coming artists, fireworrks. www.summerofthearts.org
Fairytale Festival, Cedar Rapids
July 16: 3 to 7:30 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Storytellers, fairytale games, crafts, fairytale costume contest and parade. $8 adults; $4 ages 3 to 14; $1 off with costume. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/pages/default.aspx
Nordic Fest, Decorah
July 28 to 30: Norwegian food and crafts, parade, entertainment, Saturday night torchlight parade and fireworks. www.nordicfest.com
Walker Pickle Days
July 28 to 30: Games, contests, 5K run/walk, food, parade, music, fireworks. www.walkeriowa.com
AUGUST
Hoover’s Hometown Days, West Branch
Aug. 5 and 6: Music, entertainment, Civil War encampment, rides and games, food, exhibits, Hoover-Ball championships, Hoover gravesite ceremony, free birthday cake, fireworks. www.hooverassociation.org/newsevents/hooverfest.php
Sauerkraut Days, Lisbon
Aug. 10 to 13: Food, carnival, music, contests. www.sauerkrautdays.com
St. Jude’s Sweet Corn Festival, Cedar Rapids
Aug. 12 to 14: 50 Edgewood Rd. NW. Carnival rides, kids’ games, raffle, fun run/walk, music, food, 14 tons of sweet corn. www.judes.org/Sweet%20Corn%20Festival%20Information/sweetcorn_festival.html
Sand in the City, Iowa City
Aug. 12 to 14: Downtown. Sand sculptures, food, kids’ activities, music. Free admission. www.summerofthearts.org
Woodfest, Amana
Aug. 26 to 28: Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Wood craft displays, demonstrations, seminars, food, tool and supply sales. Noon to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission and parking. www.amanaartsguild.com
SEPTEMBER
FRY Fest, Coralville
Sept. 2: Iowa River Landing area. Hawkeye celebration with salute to Dan Gable, food, music. www.fryfest.com
Swamp Fox Festival, Marion
Sept. 8 to 11: Marion Square Park. Golf outing, food, music, craft show, 5K run and fun walk, parade. http://uptownmarion.com/things-to-do.html?item=238
BrewNost, Cedar Rapids
Sept. 23: 6 to 9:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Rd. SW. Domestic and international beers paired with hors d’ourves. www.ncsml.org/Events/20110923/80/BrewNost-2011.aspx
Oktoberfest, Amana
Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. German bands, food and beverages, games, theater shows, parade, walking tours, museums open. Noon to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.festivalsinamana.com