Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

Mark Your Calendar for 2023 

• Oct 13th-15th ~ Scenic Drive Festival
• Nov 3rd ~ Villages Folk School’s Bottomless Soup Supper
• Nov 25th-Dec 31st ~ Christmas in the Villages
• Dec 1st-3rd ~ Festival of Trees

Join River Valley Lodge for their annual Bentler Family Memorial Fall Ride. There will be a dance, trail rides, wine tasting, food and more. You don't want to miss this annual event!

2023 Schedule of Events

Explore and enjoy Morris Park to discover different tree species and the fall colors.

This mile hike will start at the hiking trail near the shelter. This hike covers various terrain from moderate to difficult. This trail is grass and dirt, proper hiking attire, and bug spray is recommended.
Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration: https://www.mycountyparks.com/Event/County/Van-Buren/Default.aspx?action=back

Explore and enjoy Morris Park to discover different tree species and the fall colors.

This mile hike will start at the hiking trail near the shelter. This hike covers various terrain from moderate to difficult. This trail is grass and dirt, proper hiking attire, and bug spray is recommended.
Registration is encouraged but not required.

Registration: https://www.mycountyparks.com/Event/County/Van-Buren/Default.aspx?action=back

All Aboard! 
The Southeast Iowa Depot Tour takes off on Saturday, October 7th, and goes through Sunday, October 8th. Train enthusiasts and rail fans of all ages definitely won’t want to miss this event! 

Hop aboard and check out the Depots! 

Pilot Grove (CB&Q)  Sat: 9am-5pm & Sun 1-5pm
Dover Museum, 213 W Main St., New London, IA

Eldon Depot Museum & Rocket Room Model Railroad (CRI&P) Sat: 8am-5pm & Sun:1-5pm
405 KD Ave., Eldon, IA 

*Join the Eldon Depot Museum on October 7th, 5-7pm for their Annual HOBO Stew!
Serving: homemade "HOBO" vegetable beef Stew, corn muffins, dessert of choice, and drink. Free-will offering.

Douds Depot (CRI&P) Sat: 10am-4pm & Sun: 12-4pm
14168 Walnut St., Douds, IA

Milton (CB&Q) Sat: 9am-4pm & Sun: Walk-Around
N. Main St., Milton, IA

Peavine Line Museum (CB&Q) Sat: 9am-5pm & Sun: 12-4pm
104 N Main St., Stockport, IA 
Souvenirs for sale.

Fort Madison Museum (AT&SF) Sat & Sun: 8am-5pm
 South end of 10th St., Fort Madison, IA

Fort Madison Railroad Museum (CB&Q) Sat & Sun: 8am-5pm
 South end of 10th St., Fort Madison, IA

Yarmouth (CB&Q) Sat & Sun: Walk-Around
Hillsboro (CB&Q) Sat & Sun: Walk-Around
Located at Old Threshers, 405 E Thresher Rd., Mt Pleasant, IA

Donnellson (CB&Q) Sat: 11am-4pm & Sun: 12-3pm
376-498 Mill St., Donnellson, IA

CRI&P = Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
CB&Q = Chicago, Burlington & Quincy

Join the Eldon Depot for their Annual Hobo Stew! Serving: homemade "HOBO" vegetable beef Stew, corn muffins, dessert of choice, and drink. Free-will offering. Large model railroad layout will be in operation during the event.

Friday: 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: 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: 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.

Year-end awards for the top 3 teams will be presented for both full arena and sort-n-pen.

The Scenic Drive Festival is a Countywide Festival with numerous events and activities planned in most of the Villages. Featuring arts and crafts vendors, antique vendors, art shows, music, garage sales, kid's entertainment, parade, car and motorcycle show, food and more activities throughout the Villages. 

Be sure to check the website for the most current updates!

Request a Mailed Brochure  or   Download a Brochure

2023 Vendor Applications:
Bloom and Bark Glass Blowing
Downtown Keosauqua
Van Buren County Fairgrounds (all 4*)
*Fair View Barn
*Roberts Memorial Building
*Morton Building
*Outside Vendors
Bentonsport 
By Bonaparte Businesses: Call 641-919-0882
Morris Park: Call 319-759-1975

Make your lodging reservations now!
Van Buren County Fairground Camping 
Other Camping in Van Buren County 

Murder at the American Gothic House- again! Kids are needed to solve the crime. Solve puzzles, decipher clues, and work in teams- with a prize to the winning team members! Kids under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult age 18 years or older the entire time as some activities may be challenging for younger ages. Limit of 30 students.

Note: You do not need to have participated in 2022 in order to attend this year since the storylines are not related.

FREE hot dog dinner will be provided.
FREE but preregistration is required by October 5th at 4:00pm.
All details can be found HERE.

Ranch Horse Show Series - The finals of the 2023 series. You won't want to miss this final competition and awards. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, extreme trail course competition, dance, food concessions, and more. 

Camping is available on the grounds.

2023 Schedule of Events

Join us at Lake Sugema Wildlife Area campgrounds to view the night sky. This guided program is about discovering different star patterns and constellations. If you have a telescope you are encouraged to bring your own.
No registration for this event.

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. Pre-registration is required for classes.

• Nature's Sketchbook with Jessica Kirby (Oct. 21st)
• Rural Sketchers: Outdoor Painting Workshop with Jessica Kirby (Oct. 22nd)

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

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Join us at Lacey Keosauqua Beach House Lodge for a mile hike to discover different tree species and fall colors. This mile hike will have various terrain types from moderate to difficult. This trail is gravel and timber so proper hiking attire and bug spray is recommended.

Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration: https://www.mycountyparks.com/Event/County/Van-Buren/Default.aspx?action=back

Trail ride, dance, wine tasting, fun contests and much more!

2023 Schedule of Events

Saturday, October 28th

Farmington Trunk-R-Treat: 5:30-7:30pm on Elm St.

Farmington Trick-or-Treat: 5-7pm

Douds Trick-or-Treat: 6-9pm
Hotdogs 5-6pm at the Field Days ground. 14168 Walnut St.

Monday, October 30th

Bonaparte Trick-or-Treat: 5-7pm

Cantril Trick-or-Treat: 6-8pm

Milton Trick-or-Treat: 6-8pm

Tuesday, October 31st

Keosauqua Trunk or Treat: 4:30-5:30pm on First St.

Haunted Hotel Manning: 4:30-6pm 100 Van Buren St.

Birmingham Trick-or-Treat: 5-8pm

Stockport Trick-or-Treat: 5-7pm
Stockport Lions Club will have hot dogs and s'mores at the City Park.

Keosauqua Trick-or-Treat: 6-8pm