Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

Open to the public. Doors open at 5:30pm, Dinner begins at 6:00pm with a special program to follow. Free will donation. All proceeds to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

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.

• Goat Milk Soap Making with Heather Nelson
• Blacksmithing: Beginning (Multi-Day) with Bill Printy & Mark Heisdorffer

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

Join the Friends of the Bonaparte Library for a delicious Mexican Dinner! Serving: homemade tacos, chicken enchiladas, taco salad, homemade desserts & drinks for a free will offering.

National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation.

If you would like to join with other people for prayer, they will be meeting at Lacey-Keosauqua Lodge.

Everyone welcome, need not be a Veteran to attend. Free coffee & refreshments provided by Veterans Affairs.

Enjoy a great weekend of horsing around for a great cause! There will be trail rides, an auction, dance, poker run, food, and more. Please bring an item for the silent auction.

May 4th - Kentucky Derby Party - Ladies be sure to wear your best "Derby Hat".

Download the 2019 Schedule of Events

Sunrise Bakery is ready to OPEN for the season!  Hours: 9am to 6pm, Tuesday through Saturday. 

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.

• Raku Pottery with Betty Printy
• Rejuvenating Spring Edibles with Pat Crawford
• Glass Blowing Basics with Tim Blair

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

Lots of great deals, specials and giveaways at local chamber businesses!

Stop by Wasko Hardware for in-store specials, prizes, food, grill demonstrations and more. Join them as they celebrate their annual Customer Appreciation Day.

What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a Taco Bar filled with all the fixings! 5-7pm or until it's gone. Free-will offering.

Sponsored by Cantril Dayz Committee, all proceeds to benefit Cantril Dayz Activities.

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.

• Blacksmithing: Tong Making with Bill Printy & Mark Heisdorffer

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

"WILD EDIBLES HIKE"

Forage in the forest along the trails at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park! Naturalist, Kathy Dice will lead a leisurely hike as she points out several wild edibles, how to identify them, prepare them and explain a few with medicinal values. There is no cost and pre-registration is not required. 

This is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County Conservation. The Des Moines River Water Trail is one of 19 official water trails in Iowa.

Bring your mother to the Bentonsport Artisans Co-op for a special present on Mother's Day. Refreshments and Free Gift to 1st 15 Mothers visiting the shop.

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 May Classes

You won't want to miss all the bargains happening in Bonaparte!

All the shops will be open and are in walking distance from all the activities. There will be a large selection of vendors with a variety of products. Bonaparte city-wide yard sales Fri., Sat. & Sun., throughout the town.

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 for both full arena and sort-n-pen.

Download the 2019 Schedule of Events

Join the Villages Folk School at their Annual Memorial Day Weekend BBQ & Auction!  Enjoy BBQ Brisket plate for $10 or Pulled Pork plate for $8, along with homemade salads and cookies. There will be a Plein Air Quick Paint Contest through the Van Buren County Arts Council.  Participants must register in advance for the outdoor painting contest. Homemade pies auctioned off throughout the evening. Bring your lawn chair and join the fun under the BIG TENT in the Keosauqua City Park!

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

All the shops will be open and a variety of vendors will be set up along Riverside Park. There will be strolling musicians (John Lee Boyer and Paul Imholte), food, crafts, antiques, blacksmithing and other demonstrations all weekend.

Local Churches and Van Buren County residents will be joining the 98 other Iowa counties in reading the Bible out loud throughout the month of June. 

Everyone is welcome to join, just choose a book "Genesis to Revelation" read out loud, alone or with others.

For more information visit Van Buren County Iowa Bible Reading Facebook page or your local church.

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

"Some gave all, all gave some"

Enjoy an evening program of music and stories honoring all Veterans who gave their lives to protect our country.

No admission fee. Everyone welcome.

Bring your family, friends, neighbors and enjoy Memorial Day with a full Lunch and dessert. Adults: $8, Children 5-12: $4, 4 and under are Free. 

Sponsored by the Milton Lions Club.

Douds American Legion Auxiliary Memorial day Service. Potluck dinner at 6pm. There is no cost. Everyone bring a dish you would like to share. Memorial Day Service program will begin at 7:15pm followed by the traditional walk to the Des Moines River bridge.

12 trainers will train 4-year-old mares in 4 one hour judged sessions. Watching the progress is amazing, entertaining & educational. Finals on Sunday following Cowboy Church. 1st prize - $2,000 cash. 

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a great weekend with vendors, food, dance on Sat., barrel racing, sorting & roping throughout the weekend.

$5 wristband for Campers & $10 for non-campers. 

Horsemanship Clinics with Mark and Miranda Lyons. “Ranch Horse Fundamentals” on May 30th & 31st,  “Advancing the Green Horse” on June 3rd & 4th. Call 501-249-0117 for details.

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.