Benton County Fall Calendar of Events

Summer fun may be winding down, but plenty of activities are planned in southern Benton County and surrounding areas this fall and early winter. Be sure to check out the local events listed below.

Now through early October: Belle Plaine Farmers Market every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. on the corner of 13th Street and Sixth Avenue, west of Pizza Hut. Homegrown produce, baked goods and more.

Now through Oct. 21: Youngville Café Farmers Market every Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Homemade pie, baked goods, homegrown produce and more. Located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and 218.

Now through Oct. 30: At the Belle Plaine Area Museum, 901 12th St, “Creative Americans of the Midwest,” an exhibit of 27 watercolor caricatures by Cedar Rapids artist Gary L. Anderson. Featured are Midwesterners whose creativity impacted the lifestyle Americans enjoy today. Among the notables are Abraham Lincoln, John Deere, Henry Ford, Amelia Earhart and Iowa’s own Meredith Willson. Museum hours: Thursday through Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m. and by appointment by calling (319) 434-2079 or (319) 640-5676.

Aug. 20: The Belle Plaine Historical Society will honor Leroy Shield, “Iowa’s Other Music Man.”

August

Aug. 20: Fourth annual Keystone Turner Barbeque Roundup at Keystone Turner Hall, 91 Second Ave., 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Food, tractorcade, car show, live music. Information, including cost: (319) 442-3212

Aug. 26-28: Fourth annual Iowa Lincoln Highway Motor Tour from Council Bluffs to DeWitt. Motorists and their classic cars will stop at the Belle Plaine Area Museum and Youngville Café, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and 218, Saturday, Aug. 27.

Aug. 27: Cuisine in the Corn, an elegant meal served in the cornfield, will benefit Four Oaks. Reservations required. Information: www.bloomsburyfarm.com or (319) 446- 7667.

September

Sept. 2-5 (Labor Day weekend): Blairstown’s 38th annual Sauerkraut Days, sponsored by the Blairstown Lions Club. For a full rundown of activities, see the Sauerkraut Days story elsewhere in this special Autumn section.

Sept. 3: Bloomsbury Farm, two miles north of Atkins, opens for the season. Agriculturally based fun and educational activities for all ages. See the Bloomsbury Farm story in this Autumn section for details.

Sept. 4: First annual Bloomsbury Farm Music Fest to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 4 to 10 p.m., 3260 69th St., Atkins. Live bands, food. Information: www.bloomsburyfarm.com. or (319) 446-7667.

Sept. 4: 92nd annual St. Joseph’s Fall Festival, Chelsea. Chicken and ham dinner 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parish center. Bingo, food and beverage tents, raffle at 9 p.m.

Sept. 10: Eighth annual Watkins Car Show on 26th Avenue in Watkins. This event traditionally benefits a local resident dealing with medical expenses. Plaques for the first 200 entries, two trophies per class. T-shirts and sandwiches will be for sale; free pop, bottled water and snacks. Information: Jim Stoddard (319) 227-7702 or (319) 227-3056; Steve Stoddard (319) 227-7231.

Sept. 25: Apple Daze at Youngville Café, one of the last remaining refurbished filling stations and eateries along the Lincoln Highway. The café is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and 218. Antique gas engines and cars on display; farmers market; vendors; homemade pie and ice cream, open grill. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: www.youngvillecafe.com.

October

Oct. 2: Return to the trial of the Shoot Out at the O.K. Corral. During this readers’ theatre at the Belle Plaine Area Museum, witnesses will share their view of the shooting of the McLaury brothers, who at one time lived in the Belle Plaine area, and their friend, Billy Clanton. Court convenes at 2 p.m.

Oct. 13-16: The State Historical Museum’s “The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War” traveling exhibit comes to the Belle Plaine Area Museum. To schedule a tour, call (319) 434-2079 or email winkiewb@netins.net.

Oct. 22: Breakfast with the Pumpkin Princess at Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins. Information: www.bloomsburyfarm.com. or (319) 446-7667.

Oct. 22: Pioneer Pumpkin Fest, sponsored by the Belle Plaine Area Museum. “Pumpkin” pancake breakfast, pumpkin carving contests, bake sale, food booths, exhibits, entertainment, community lighting display and more. Watch the Star Press Union for more details as they become available or email pioneerpumpkinfest@yahoo.com.

Oct 31: The Atkins Community Club will sponsor a children’s Halloween party at the Memorial Union, time to be announced. Music, free food, prizes for costumes.

Fourth annual Trunk or Treat, sponsored by Belle Plaine Community Development Corp. Residents will pass out Halloween treats from their vehicles in the downtown area from 5 to 6 p.m. Bring the kids in costume for a fun, safe trick-or-treat experience.

Elberon: The American Legion will sponsor a Halloween party on Oct. 31 with food, drink and costume judging starting at 6 p.m.

Luzerne: Trick or treating 5 to 8 p.m.

Newhall: The Lions Club will sponsor a children’s Halloween party at the school from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Food and drink, games and costume contests. Trick or treating after the party.

Van Horne: The Van Horne Lions Club will sponsor a Halloween party at the Emergency Response Station from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot dogs, chips cookies and beverages will be served. Trick or treating will follow.

November

Nov. 10: Veterans’ seminar at the Belle Plaine Area Museum. Time to be announced.

Nov. 10: Veterans Day program, Belle Plaine Junior-Senior High gym, 10 a.m.

Nov. 11: Veterans Day program, Benton Community Middle/High School, 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 13: Annual soup supper at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Luzerne, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 26: A Christmas Homecoming in Belle Plaine, sponsored by Belle Plaine Community Development Corp. Watch for details as they become available.

Nov. 27: Christmas Tea on the Lincoln Highway at the Belle Plaine Area Museum, 2 p.m. Betty Moeller will portray First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

December

Throughout the month: Belle Plaine third graders will present original Christmas programs as seen in rural schools across America. Dates will be announced.

Dec. 3: Christmas in Norway, with lighted parade at 6 p.m.

Dec. 4: Soup supper at Christ United Methodist Church, 708 15th St., Belle Plaine, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: Prelude to Christmas concert with local church choirs and other musicians, 7 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church.

Dec. 10: Christmas Cookie Walk at First Lutheran Church, 1523 Sunset Drive, Belle Plaine. Doors open at 9 a.m.

More information about the above events will be published in the Star Press Union as it becomes available.