Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

Come enjoy a summer night in Downtown Bonaparte!

All of the shops will be open throughout the evening.
Corn Hole Games, Inflatables for Kids, Hot Rocks & Chalk drawing. 

4-8pm Ice Cream Social in the Opera House
Served by the Bonaparte United Church
Menu: Creamed Chicken or Maidrite Sandwich meal. Variety of Ice Cream and Desserts,

5pm  Street Dance 
Music by: Dusty Ramblers 
Beer Garden- hosted by the Bonaparte Community Improvement Associ. 

 7-9pm BINGO in the Opera House

The Villages Folk School specializes in providing learning experiences in traditional arts and skills while drawing upon the uniqueness of each of the eleven historic Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa.

Classes are held in a peaceful rural setting, so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village life. 

• Advanced Leather Crafting with Stuart Holmes

Pre-registration is required for classes.
Register for August Classes

Join Cedar Valley Winery as they celebrate 12 years of winemaking and valued customers.

Entertainment by Sez Who, catering by Sweet & Saucy BBQ, award-winning estate wines and dancing. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket for a fun evening! 

There is no admission fee as they want to thank all of their great customers for their support! Yard games for the kids. Soda, Water and Beer are available. No outside food or beverages allowed.

Ranch Horse Show Series - The fifth of the 2021 series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, extreme trail course competition, dance, food concessions, and more. 

Camping is available on the grounds.  

Download the 2021 Schedule of Events

Friday 7-9pm: Donkeys will be numbered up and in pens. People will be able to just ride and a chance for anyone new to get their horses used to the donkey. No admission fee.

Saturday 11am-3pm: Full arena sort. All teams will be drawn, the number of rounds will be determined by the number of people. Teams of 3 people. $15 a person will enter you in all the rounds for the day. You will also need a $5 wristband if you are not camping. Sign-up will be 10-10:45am. There will be a Jackpot round at the end of the practice rounds. This will cost $5 a person and each person can enter 3 times.

Sunday 11am-3pm: Sort-n-pen. All teams will be drawn, the number of rounds will be determined by the number of people. Teams of 3 people. $15 a person will enter you in all the rounds for the day. You will also need a $5 wristband if you are not camping. Sign up will be 10-10:45am. There will be a Jackpot round at the end of the practice rounds. This will cost $5 a person and each person can enter 3 times.

Download the 2021 Schedule of Events

A unique free family fun weekend filled with Farm Tours, Local Artists, Winery, Cheese Creamery, Amish Furniture, Clay Oven Baking, Wagon Rides, Amish School Breakfast, Glass Blowing, Homemade Ice Cream, Demonstrations and much more.

Download J40 Farm Crawl Brochure.

Enjoy a fun-filled weekend while exploring all of the historic Villages of Van Buren. This is a casual, family-oriented bicycle ride through Van Buren County, Iowa. You'll enjoy some of the finest hospitality around with SAG support and food/drink stops along the route.

The routes wind through our historic Villages nestled amongst the rolling hillsides including the "Historic Hills Scenic Byway." Total weekend mileage is approximately 100-200 miles in two days. Although the majority of the route is on sparsely traveled paved county roads there are sections that include travel on state highway. 

>>Click Here<< for more information!

Early-Bird Registration Until July 25th!
SAVE $10  
>>Register NOW<<

Walk-up registrations are welcome!

Registration hours: 
Saturday: 7:00am-8:30am or Sunday 7:30am-8:00am
Keosauqua City Park, 100 Van Buren St.

No bike? No problem! 
Bike Rentals Available!
Bickels Cycling & Fitness 319-754-4410

Join the Villages Folk School for a community BBQ under the big tent!

Meal includes Pulled Pork or Brisket Sandwich with salads, chips, and drink. There will be a bake sale with a large selection of homemade pies and cakes that will be available for purchase. 

Live music on the Hotel outdoor patio to follow. 

4 - person best shot. Open to everyone! $140 per team, $35 individual with Lunch Included. Win cash prizes, pin prizes, and fun shot prizes. Registration 8:30am, Tee off 9am.

Download Registration Form

Download Flyer

"Move over Cowboy, this Cowgirl can back her own trailer!"
This clinic is for you ladies that would like to be able to build your driving and backing skills when pulling a trailer.

Friday will kick it out with a banquet dinner and a workshop on how to winterize your camper/trailer. This will be own by other campers. But Saturday is reserved for the ladies, with workshops in tire changing, pre-trip inspection, hitching and unhitching as well of lots of one on one driving and backing.

Sunday there will be an open women-only trailer pulling and backing competition, Cowgirl Backing Rodeo!

Pre-registration required for clinic, limited spaces available.
$50 gets you in all workshops, one on one driving instruction with a confident female instructor, two meals, and entry into the Backing Rodeo

The Villages Folk School specializes in providing learning experiences in traditional arts and skills while drawing upon the uniqueness of each of the eleven historic Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa.

Classes are held in a peaceful rural setting, so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village life. 

• Advanced Leather Crafting with Stuart Holmes

Pre-registration is required for classes.
Register for August Classes

Doug Adams of Fairfield, IA is the creator of the wire trees and woodworks of art that are sold in the Twisted River Gifts in Bentonsport, IA. He has been named the 2021 Bentonsport Artist of the year!

Meet Doug Adams and watch his slide show of making his art. Cake, nuts, mints and punch will be served.