Photo courtesy of Doug Berg.

Iowa Calendar of Events

MAY

4
RURAL MUSIC CONCERT: LISA SANDELL
Guest artist plays lap-style guitar at the Oak Tree Opry. Pioneer Music Museum open during consert. 712-762-4363, 712-249-5989, http://www.oldtime-music.bigstep.com, or bobeverhart@yahoo.com.

5
MAYFEST/CINCO DE MAYO
Traditional winding of the Maypole by local school children, live entertainment, food and craft vendors. 712-623-4313 or 712-621-4313, whitetracy199@msn.com. Red Oak

5
HITCHCOCK PIONEER FESTIVAL
Tours of the Hitchcock House, a National Historic Landmark and Underground Railroad site. Hands-on activities in the barn including candle dipping, making rope, spinning wool and making butter. 712-243-6665 or 712-769-2323, http://www.hitchcockhouse.org sahafair@netins.net. Lewis

10
TASTE OF SUMMER
Sample summer treats, pick up recipe cards and browse local businesses. 712-623-4821 or 712-623-4822, http://www.redoakiowa.com, adminasst@redoakiowa.com. Red Oak

17-19
ORANGE CITY TULIP FESTIVAL
Colorful tulips fill the parks, children and teens dance, sing and scrub streets in beautiful Dutch costumes, the local band marches in wooden shoes, art bounds along the Avenue, and music fi lls the air. The 67th Annual Tulip Festival in Orange City, Iowa, is a celebration of the best of small-town in the midst of America's heartland Ð May 17, 18, 19, 2007 Ð a chance to enjoy the Dutch heritage of this charming village. The event provides upbeat entertainment and wholesome activities for the entire family, with something for everyone from children to seniors. This year is featuring the Native American musical group, Brule. For a schedule of events, ticket information, and other news about the Orange City Tulip Festival, go to http://www.octulipfestival.com. Orange City

18-20
15TH ANNUAL AVOCA SPRING COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Country, bluegrass and gospel music. Jam sessions and open stage at East Pottawattamie Fairgrounds. 712-622-8466. Avoca

25
MAIN STREET FIESTA
Celebrate award-winning Great American Main Street with food and fun. 641-322-3243, http://www.corningia.com, main-street@corningia.com. Corning

26-27
TIVOLI FEST
Celebrate spring - Danish style. 712-764-7472 or 800-451- 7960, http://www.danishwindmill.com, info@danishwindmill. com. Elk Horn

JUNE

1
ROCKIN' IN SUMMER
Live music, food and beverages downtown. 712-252-0014, http://www.downtownsiouxcity.com, dpolak@downtownsiouxcity.com. Sioux City

1-3
LOESS HILLS PRAIRIE SEMINAR
Sessions on nature and the history of the Loess Hills, hikes in the hills. 712-222-6080, gkistner@nwaea.k12.ia.us. Onawa

2
FISHING DERBY
At Pioneer Park. 712-542-3864. Clarinda

7-10
GLENN MILLER FESTIVAL
Fun and entertainment, many opportunities to hear favorite Glenn Miller songs. 31st Annual Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition. 712-542-2461, http://www.glennmiller.org, gmbs@ heartland.net. Clarinda

8-10
LEWIS &CLARK FESTIVAL
Food, music, children's activities and more. View the only authentic replica of keelboat used by the Lewis & Clark Expedition. 712-423-9099 or 712-423-1801, http://www.onawa.com, chamber@onawa.com. Onawa

14-17
ICE CREAM DAYS
Family Fun in the Ice Cream Capital of the World. 712-546- 4090. Le Mars

15-16
AWESOME BIKER NIGHTS
Charity motorcycle rally along Historic Fourth Street. Poker run, local and national bands, stunt riders, bike show, food and merchandise vendors. 712-224-2759 or 712-252-0014, http://www.awesomebikernights.com, info@awesomebikernights.com. Sioux City

15-17
WALNUT AMVETS ANTIQUE SHOW
Shop hundreds of dealers in Iowa's "Antique City." 712-784- 2100 or http://www.walnutiowa.org. Walnut

16
3RD ANNUAL CRESTON CAR AND BIKE SHOW-OFF
Enjoy neat old cars and bikes, as well as new ones. Games and great food. 641-782-7021. Creston

16
GRAFFITI NIGHT CAR SHOW
Attracts over 300 cars for a "show 'n shine" car show. Onawa

22-23
RED OAK JUNCTION DAYS
Red Oak Little Miss and Miss Red Oak contests, pancake feed, 10K run/2-mile walk, flea market, tractor display, grand parade, children's carnival, at Fountain Square Park. 712-623- 4821 or 712-623-4822, http://www.redoakiowa.com, adminasst@ redoakiowa.com. Red Oak

19-22
BUENA VISTA COUNTY FAIR
712-732-6729. Alta

20-22
RAGBRAI KICKOFF EVENTS
Celebrate the start of the week-long RegisterÕs Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. 712-472-3456, http://www.rockrapids.com, chamber@rockrapids.com. Rock Rapids

23
WISECUP FARM MUSEUM COUNTRY MUSIC VOCAL CONTEST
712-642-3925. Missouri Valley

24
GARDEN WALK
712-322-2406 or 712-322-3504, generaldodgehouse@all-tel. net. Council Bluffs

28
KREWE DE CHARLIE SIOUX MARDI GRAS GALA
Towering costumes and Cajun food spice up New Orleans-style event. 800-593-2228 or 712-279-4850, http://www.siouxcitytourism.com. Sioux City

JULY

3
CLARINDA A'S FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Fireworks display following the Clarinda A's baseball game. 712-542-4272. Clarinda

3
OLD-FASHIONED INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
Carnival games, family activities at the Western Historic Trails Center. 712-366-4900. Council Bluffs

4
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS
712-423-2525 or 712-423-1801, http://www.onawa.com, chamber@ onawa.com. Onawa

11-15
MONONA COUNTY FAIR
Regional Outlaw tractor pull and demolition derby, carnival and parade. 712-423-2096 or 712-423-1801, http://www.onawa.com, mononacofair@onawave.net. Onawa

17-22
HARRISON COUNTY FAIR
Music at the show tent, grandstand events including tractor pull, bull riding, demolition derby. 712-644-3368 or 712- 642-3866, http://www.harrisoncofair.com. Missouri Valley

17-22
MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR
4-H exhibits, demolition derby. 712-370-0466 or 712-825- 5061. Red Oak

21
HARRISON COUNTY FAIR PARADE
712-642-2553, chamberofcommerce1@juno.com. Missouri Valley

24-29
PAGE COUNTY FAIR
4-H and FFA livestock judging, live entertainment and open class judging. 712-542-5171. Clarinda

26-29
AUDUBON COUNTY FAIR
4-H shows and more. 712-563-4239. Audubon

27-28
24 TH ANNUAL SILVER CITY MINI COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Acoustic country music jam in Silver City Community Park. 712-622-8466. Silver City

28
SUMMER ROCKS 2007
Rock 'n' roll dance in the city park featuring the Omaha band Rough Cut. 712-642-2553 or 402-681-8704, http://www.missourivalleychamber.com, chamberofcommerce1@juno.com. Missouri Valley

29
MID-AMERICA ANTIQUE MARKET
Outdoor antique market at Mid-America Center, Iowa food court, local entertainment. 712-326-2265, http://www.midamericacenter.com, event@midamericacenter.com. Council Bluffs

AUGUST

4
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS
At the Western Historic Trails Center. 712-366-4900. Council Bluffs

17-19
RIBFEST
Cooks from all over the world come to compete in the People's Choice and Celebrity Judges voting. Children's carnival, live music. 712-323-0536, http://www. midamerica-center.com. Council Bluffs

18
RED OAK OLD CAR DAY
Classic and modern-day vehicles displayed in Fountain Square Park. 712-623-9003 or 712-623-3191, http://www.redoakiowa.com/member/classychassiscarshow. Red Oak

18
ATLANTICFEST
Tractor show, motorcycle show, craft show, car show, live entertainment, children's activities and food. 712-243-3017, http://www.atlanticiowa.com, atlanticchamber@a-m-u.net. Atlantic

18-19
CLASSICS CAR CLUB SWAP MEET
Buy, sell or trade classic cars, parts and memorabilia. Concessions, exhibits, displays, car corral. 712-423-2411 or 712-423-1801, http://www.onawa.com, keeponcruisin@hotmail.com. Onawa

24-26
BARBECUE AND BLUEGRASS
Old-time country and bluegrass music at the Wise-cup Farm MuseumÕs barn. Enjoy barbecue, browse display of 40 pieces of antique Minneapolis Moline Farm equipment. 712-310-9591 bluegrasscafe@ netzero.net. Missouri Valley

25-26
KEG CREEK DAYS
Entertainment, games, food, parade of old machinery, crafts at Glenwood Lake Park. 712-527-5038. Glenwood

27-SEPTEMBER 2
32ND NATIONAL OLD-TIME COUNTRY AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL,CONTEST AND PIONEER EXPOSITION OF ARTS AND CRAFTS
Close to a thousand performers play old-time acoustic blue-grass, country, folk and traditional rural American music on 10 stages. Celebrities, jam sessions, concerts, old-time dances, workshops, contests, band scrambles and international guests. Induction ceremonies for AmericaÕs Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame. Arts, crafts, flea market, American Indian Tipi Village and Rendezvous. Activities for children. Food includes grilled steak suppers. Camping available. 712-762-4363 or 712-249-5989, http://www.oldtimemusic.bigstep.com, bobeverhart@ yahoo.com. Missouri Valley

SEPTEMBER

8
KIDS FEST IN THE VALLEY
Celebration in the park with children's games, rides, plant sale, food stand, pie contest, crafts, music and barbecue. Scarecrow contest around town and in the park. 712-642-2553 or 402-681-8704, http://www.missourivalleychamber.com, chamberofcommerce1@juno.com. Missouri Valley

8-16
CLAY COUNTY FAIR
"The World's Greatest County Fair," showcasing agriculture since 1917. Commercial and competitive exhibits, concerts,food. 712-262-4740, clayfair@ncn.net. Spencer

14-16
30TH ANNUAL CRESTON/SW IOWA BALLOON DAYS
Daily balloon races, craft show and flea market, marching bands and balloonists parade, bathtub races, aviation displays, pet show, Night Glow. 641-782-7021, http://www.crestoniowachamber.com, chamber@crestoniowachamber.com. Creston

15
DOWNTOWN SIOUX CITY'S ANNUAL CHILI AND SALSA COOK-OFF
Taste some of the areaÕs best chili as cooks compete for cash prizes. 712-252-0014, http://www.downtownsiouxcity.com, dpo-lak@ downtownsiouxcity.com. Sioux City

15-16
VIKING MEET
Living history and steel combat come together to teach visitors about the Viking Age. http://www.danishwindmill.com. Elk Horn

21-23
COCA-COLA DAYS
In the Coca-Cola capital of Iowa, swap and sell memorabilia and enjoy themed events. 712-243-3017, http://www.atlanticiowa.com, atlanticchamber@a-m-u.net. Atlantic

29
52ND ANNUAL SOUTHWEST IOWA BAND JAMBOREE
Area bands compete in morning parade on downtown square, afternoon field marching at Clarinda High School football field. 712-542-2166. Clarinda

WANT YOUR FESTIVAL LISTED HERE? Listings are free! The 2005 Spring/Summer "Explorer" will feature events April through September. Send information, attn: Explorer Magazine, PO Box 328, Blair, NE 68008.