Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

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

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.