Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

Ranch Horse Show Series - The fourth of the 2020 series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, extreme trail course competition, wine tasting, dance, food concessions, and more. Camping available on grounds.  

Download the 2020 Schedule of Events

The Red Rock Threshers Group will be coming from West Point and stopping through to eat lunch at the Bonaparte Opera House hosted by the Bonaparte Events Committee.

There will be 200-250 tractors for you to check out, while they eat! 

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 peaceful rural settings so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village-life. Pre-registration is required for classes.

• Compact Yarn Making with Pat Crawford

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

Enjoy a week of fun at the Van Buren County Fair! Featuring: Fair Queen Contest, 4-H and FFA exhibits all week long & more!

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 peaceful rural settings so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village-life. Pre-registration is required for classes.

• 2020 Youth "Paint The Fair" Plein Air Competition

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

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 peaceful rural settings so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village-life. Pre-registration is required for classes.

• "Paint The Fair" Plein Air Competition (Multi-Day)

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

Full hot breakfast for a free-will donation.

This 170+-Year-Old Inn is one of the most haunted inns in the country! Built-in 1846 as a place for steamboat travelers to rest, the Mason House Inn has been drawing in paranormal enthusiasts for decades. During this time it’s built up quite a haunted reputation. Regarded by many as the most haunted place in the whole state of Iowa!

According to the owners, there are at least 5 spirits that they know of that call the inn home with countless more reported. It’s had three of its owners die in the inn, 1 guest was murdered, it was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and again during 1920-1940 by a doctor who treated patients in the inn. He died here of Diptheria along with several of his patients. And you can only speculate how many people died here during the Civil War…

This inn is full of history, and who knows how many other spirits are lurking here. This is going to be an amazing night of ghost hunting, but it’s not for the faint of heart. 

Tickets are extremely limited! Book Now to Avoid Disappointment. 

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.

There will be year-end awards for top 3 teams presented at the final sort (Oct. 9th-11th, 2020) for both full arena and sort-n-pen.

Download the 2020 Schedule of Events

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 peaceful rural settings so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village-life. Pre-registration is required for classes.

• Advanced Leather Crafting with Stuart Holmes
• J40 Fusion Dying - Plant Prints with Pat Crawford

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

RESCHEDULED TO AUGUST 14, 2021.

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.

Ranch Horse Show Series - The fifth of the 2020 series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, extreme trail course competition, wine tasting, dance, food concessions, and more. Camping available on grounds.  

Download the 2020 Schedule of Events

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 numerous food/drink stops along the route.

The routes wind through eleven historic Villages nestled amongst the rolling hillsides including the "Historic Hills Scenic Byway." Total weekend mileage is approximately 100-200 miles in 2 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. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION 
NOW OPEN!!

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

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 peaceful rural settings so students can return to a simpler time and witness the importance of the artisan in village-life. Pre-registration is required for classes.

• Plein Air: Landscapes with John Preston

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

4 - person best shot. Open to everyone! $35 per person, Lunch Included. Win cash prizes! Registration 8:30am, Tee off 9am.

Download Registration Form