Iowans love to celebrate
Tulip Time in Pella, 2002
Iowans love to celebrate
By Amanda Morgan
Iowa.com
In Iowa, we celebrate everything from our heritage to the seasons to a sci-fi TV series, and we do it with panache.
Some areas of the state celebrate heritage. In Pella, for instance, the annual Tulip Time festival celebrates that community’s Dutch heritage with food, crafts, flowers and specialty attractions such as the Dutch Cheese Market and street scrubbers.
The Amana Colonies also celebrates its heritage with several festivals throughout the year. In celebration of its German heritage, Winterfest puts a little warmth in the chilly Iowa winter in January. In May, spring is welcomed with Maifest. October brings Oktoberfest and in early December, there’s the Prelude to Christmas. Middle Amana also hosts the Iowa Renaissance Festival each spring featuring costumes, live action stuntmen and entertainers.
Other communities throughout Iowa wrap their celebrations in music. Burlington has the Steamboat Days American Music Festival in June. The Iowa City Jazz Festival cools down those hot summer nights in July. The state’s largest event, the mighty Iowa State Fair serves up food and fun in August.
Then there are the smaller, but equally engaging fairs. There are numerous county fairs throughout the state with a locally flavored smorgasbord of live music, food, rides and games. The Great Jones County fair has built a reputation of featuring big-name music acts.
For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Tourism’s calendar of Iowa fairs & festivals and the Association of Iowa Fairs for a list of county fairs. Search our calendar for other events. And don’t forget to use our Guide when planning your trip!
Your turn: What’s the best fair or festival in Iowa? Why? Add your comments to this page.
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February 10th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Thanks, Scott! You’re right, that’s a great Iowa event. Be sure to enter details in our calendar: http://www.iowa.com/calendar/. You know, it would be really COOL if you could provide trailers to any of the films. Just upload them to YouTube and let us know: content@iowa.com.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
You should include the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival. Each year it showcases over 40 films that represent the work of Iowans. The festival requires a connection to the state for participation. Check out crifm.org/festival for more information.