Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

The American Gothic House Center invites all ages of the public to participate in their annual art contest as part of Eldon's Gothic Days celebration!

Click HERE to see the Rules and Contest Deadlines.

Items up for bid will begin loading on our Facebook page at 2pm on Friday, April 26. All items will be available for bidding through Sunday, April 28 closing at 6pm.

Items up for bid are donated by and will feature area businesses and services. Proceeds will help support the mission of the Villages of Van Buren, a non-profit organization.

Rules:
* Post your bid in the comments on our Facebook page. The highest bid at 6pm Sunday wins.
* The highest bidder at 6pm on April 28, will be contacted on the page about the win.
* The winning bidder will pick up the item at the Welcome Center no later than May 3rd. (Other arrangements MAY be possible for some items. Message Villages if you need to make other arrangements.)
* The winning bidder will pay at pick-up with cash or check. (If other arrangements are made, this will include payment arrangements as well.)

Join Van Buren County Naturalist Chloe for a hike at Lacey Keosauqua Beach House Lodge for a hike to discover the different edible flora found in timbers of Van Buren County.

This mile hike will have various terrain types from moderate to difficult. This trail is gravel and timber so proper hiking attire and bug spray is recommended. We will be looking at different flora throughout the lake trail and discuss what types of places they are found in.

Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

If you like organized activities with a lot of fun, then come on out and join River Valley for their special events! Open to anyone who like to watch or participate.

• May 3-5 ~ Saddle Up for St. Jude
• May 3-5 ~ Second Wright's Donkey Sorting Series
• May 4 ~ Lockridge Rough Rider Fun Show
• May 4 ~ Kentucky Derby Party

Download the 2024 Schedule of Events for more information

The Eldon Depot Museum and Rocket Room Model Railroad will be open Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm beginning May 4th through September!

Most sales are from 8AM to 4PM. Maps will be available at City Hall and local businesses.

Join Historic Hills Scenic Byway on May 10-11 for the annual Byway Spring Shop About.

The Historic Hills Scenic Byway is a 105-mile route full of beauty and idyllic small towns in Southeastern Iowa. Enjoy your drive from Donnellson to Blakesburg and Keosauqua to Eldon.

Visitors and locals can shop, eat, and support small businesses, find unique locations and celebrate spring along the byway! There will be demonstrations and specials during the event.

Gather up your family and spend the weekend shopping local and supporting the small businesses that give back to your communities!

Opening Day is coming!
The Sunrise Bakery will open for the season on Friday, May 10th from 9am-6pm.

All mom's get free coffee and donuts on the 10th and 11th!
Open Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-6pm.

Chillax as you say cheers to the week and howdy to the weekend. No admission charge but please, no private food or drink.

Entertainment by John Lee Boyer, Catering by Sweet 'n Saucy, free popcorn, biltong snacks, great wine and an enjoyable time for sure!

Join Van Buren County Naturalist Chloe for a hike at Morris Park for a hike to discover the different flora found in timbers of Van Buren County.

This hike will start at the trail near the shelter. This trail is grass and dirt, proper hiking attire and bug spray is recommended. This mile hike will have various terrain from moderate to difficult. We will be looking for different flora throughout the trail and discussing what types of places they are found in.

Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

Come to the show!

Breakfast & Lunch - 8am-2:30pm

3rd Annual Car Show - 8am-3pm

• $10 Entry Fee
• Registration - 8am-Noon
• Awards - 2:30pm

Craft and Vendor - 8am-2pm

• Set up time starts - 7:30am
• There is NO FEE 
• Please bring your own tables
• To reserve a spot call: 641-919-1531

Backyard Cook-Off - 9am ~ Judging 2:30pm & 3pm

• $40 pre-register or $50 day of
• Bring your grill and favorite cut of meat
• $100 Prize per Categories: Chicken and Pork Ribs
• Registration or for more information call: 319-677-8525

Soft 21 Bags Tournament - Noon

• $30 pre-register or $40 day of
• $150 for 1st place
• ACL Pro Bags for 2nd place
• Registration or for more information call: 641-233-7716

Join the Villages Folk School at their Annual Memorial Day Weekend BBQ! 

Bring your lawn chair and join the fun on Hotel Manning's back patio - with live music and plein air painters painting outdoors!

$15 for a Brisket Plate or $12 for a Pulled Pork Plate 
 

The Keosauqua Lions will be serving an All-You-Can-Eat pancake and sausage breakfast for a free-will donation.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 25th  and Sunday May26th from 9am-4pm for Bonaparte’s City-Wide Yard Sales!

All shops will also be open! If you get hungry while in town, Simply Irresistible carries baked goods and other food items and will be open Saturday from 8-4, Bonaparte Retreat will be open for lunch Saturday and Sunday from 11-1 and Jet Stop will be open for food.

For more information, please contact City Hall at 319-592-3400.

Join Van Buren County Naturalist Chloe at Lacey Keosauqua State Park Beach House Lodge for a 2-mile guided hike.

This hike is in memory of Bob Steingraber who was an avid outdoorsman and was a Van Buren County Conservation Board Member for 30 years! This trail is gravel and timber so proper hiking attire and bug spray is recommended.

Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

Bentonsport Historic District will be having its annual Spring Flea Market and Craft Show during Memorial weekend.

Observe the local blacksmith and other demonstrations. Wine tasting by Wooden Wheel Vineyards will be there, fresh Amish baked goods (Sat. only) and local honey from the Honey War Bee Company.

There will be free horse-drawn covered wagon rides for the family to enjoy, and the shops will be open with antiques, locally made fudge, crafts, pottery, quilting, and the Indian Artifact Museum.

The park will have food vendors, antiques, wood crafts, natural soaps, lotions, holy whistles, hand-crafted furniture, garden art, and flea market items.

Enjoy a day full of fun, drinks, food, and music with the whole family at the Riverfront Amphitheater!

Free to the public!

Rev. Larry Shipley leads the Bentonsport Memorial Day Observance Program of patriotic music, songs, and memories of the soldiers who died fighting for their county.

No admission fee. Everyone is welcome.

River Valley Lodge hosts their 16th Annual Cowboy Fun Colt Starting Competition. 1st prize - $2,000 cash. Peoples Choice Award, dance, wine tasting, food, cattle sorting, and more! Colts will be offered for sale after the event.

This 3-day event features Home-cooked Meals, Car Show, Tractor Pull, Baking Contest, Parade, Tractor Show, Kids' Activities, Pedal Pull, Air Evac, Family Fun, and much more.