Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

Items up for bid will begin loading on our Facebook page at 2pm on Friday, April 29. All items will be available for bidding through Sunday, May 1 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. The highest bid at 6pm Sunday wins.
* The highest bidder at 6pm on May 1st, 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 13th. (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.)

The Eldon Depot Museum and Rocket Room Model Railroad will be open Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm beginning May 1st through September 30th!

The community of Eldon, Iowa, home of the little white house in Grant Wood’s most famous painting American Gothic, celebrates Gothic Days the second weekend every June. This year the American Gothic House Center invites students from area school districts as well as the general public to participate in their annual amateur art contest. 

>>More Details<<

Reservations are not required for this event. Drop off your original artwork at the American Gothic House Center May 2- 27.

Join Historic Hills Scenic Byway on May 6-7 for the second annual Byway Spring Shop About. The event will include small businesses from Donnellson to Drakesville including local boutiques, spas, home primitives, hardware stores and even historical businesses along the way! Gather up your family and spend the weekend shopping local and supporting the small businesses that give back to your communities!

The Byway Spring Shop About will be hosted along the 110-miles of Historic Hills Scenic Byway and any community member or business is welcome to participate to be a part of the route! It’s a great excursion that can involve the young and old, gather up a group of family and friends and carpool to your favorite local businesses.  

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.

Download the 2022 Schedule of Events

Second Wright's Donkey Sorting Series with Barrel Racing

There will be year-end awards for top 3 teams presented at the final sort (Oct. 2022) for both full arena and sort-n-pen.

Download the 2022 Schedule of Events

Most sales are from 8AM to 4PM. If you want on the map - please contact City Hall.

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
• Foraging Spring Edibles with Pat Crawford
• Glass Blowing Cup Making with Tim Blair

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

Stop by and help Wasko Hardware celebrate 17 years in business! In-store specials, $10 gift card with every $50 spent, Double Reward Points, lunch, face painting for the kids, Iowa State Extension will be doing a Canner Clinic in the afternoon, prizes and 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.

• Plein Air: Landscapes with John Preston

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

Ranch Horse Show Series - The Second of the 2022 series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, dance, food, and more. 

Camping is available on the grounds.  

Download the 2022 Schedule of Events

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

Don't miss out on great food and an amazing hand-blown glass exhibit. You are invited to visit with the artist, Chad Cardani-Trollinger, this Friday during the folk school's annual BBQ. Serving will begin at 5pm in Keosauqua City Park. 

Chad was selected to participate in the folk school "Creative Escape" program and has been studying with Tim Blair at his Bloom and Bark glass blowing studio. Chad will have a display of his recent glass-blown treasures and would love to visit with you and share his passion for the arts. So if your schedule allows please plan to join us! 

Bring your lawn chair and join the fun under the BIG TENT in the Keosauqua City Park!

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

Proceeds will help fund scholarships for VBCCHS students and other Lions Club projects.

Bentonsport Historic District will be having its annual Spring Flea Market and Craft Show during the 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 Indian Artifact Museum.

John Boyer from Van Buren County is a one-man band, singing, playing guitar and harmonica, and adding in a ukulele for good measure. He has been playing for many years and has played in Texas, Iowa and at the Iowa State Fair. John will perform Sat. 11-2 and Sun. 12-2 in the Bentonsport riverside park. Tom Shadonix will also be playing his violin and guitar on the porch of the Greef General Store.

The park will have food vendors selling Indian tacos, Philly cheese steak, kettle corn and other food. Antiques, wood crafts, natural soaps, lotions, holy whistles, hand crafted furniture, garden art and flea market items.

Memorial Day Services

• 29th, 1pm ~ Spencer Cemetery N.E. of Stockport 
• 29th, 6:30pm ~ Bentonsport Presbyterian Church & Cemetery
• 30th, 9am ~ Riverfront Park Amphitheater in Keosauqua 
• 30th, 10am ~ Memorial Garden (Farmington Legion bldg.)
• 30th, 10am ~ Bonaparte Cemetery
• 30th, 1:30pm ~ Birmingham Park/Cabin
• 30th, 8:30pm ~ Douds Community Center 

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

• 2:00pm - Rusted Steel String Band
• 4pm - Van & The Movers
• 6pm - Jennifer Lynn Handling & the Revolution
• 8pm - TrainWreck

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

No admission fee. Everyone welcome.