Villages of Van Buren - Event Calendar

Enjoy a great weekend with the whole family! Pedal Pull, Parade, Car Show, Truck & Tractor Pull, Games and so much more. Plus Food by Stockport Fire Dept. Friday and Saturday!

• Truck and Tractor Pull at 6:30pm. 

• BBQ Cookoff 7:00am registration
• Car Show 8-noon registration in the City Park 
• Vendor and Craft Show at 9:00am
• Parade Line up starting at 10:00am
  (at the Stockport Methodist Church)
• Parade at11:00am
• Stockport Fire Dept Hog Roast 11:00am
  (at the Stockport Legion Hall)
• Bags Tournament at noon in the City Park
• Garden Tractor Pull at 1:00pm
• Pedal Pull Registration at 1:30
• Kids Games at 2:00pm
• Lawnmower Demo Derby at 5:30pm
• Street Dance by Stockport Fire Dept at 7:00pm 

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

Friday, Sept 1, 2023

• 5pm-?: Fish Fry Supper by American Legion Post 231
• 6-7:30pm: Open Stage
• 7:30-8:30pm: Bluegrass Blondies
• 8:30-9:30pm: Lori King & Jct 63

Saturday, Sept 2, 2023

• 7am-?: Pancake Breakfast by Indian Lake
• 11am: Band Scramble Sign up
• Noon: Lunch by Indian Lake
• 1-3pm: Open Stage
• 3pm: Band Scramble
•  Open Stage until 5
• 5pm: Supper by VB Emergency Responders
• 6:30-7:30pm: Open Stage
• 7:30-8:30pm: Lori King & Junction 63
• 8:30-9:30pm: Bluegrass Blondies

Sunday Sept 3, 2023

• 9am: Coffee & Donuts by Indian Lake
  Sunday Fellowship

*SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE*

A shuttle bus will be going back and forth from Farmington to the lake since parking will be very limited for campers and entertainers. 

 All adult beverages need to either be in a tumbler or in a koozie. Please pack your lawn chairs or a blanket to set on. And most of all, come to enjoy and be happy. Spread the love of music with each other. 

Explore Bentonsport Prairie to tag monarchs. This guided program is to discover monarchs’ life cycle and the trip butterflies take south. 

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 REQUIRED, limited to 20 participants.

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

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. 

• Raku Pottery Experience with Betty Printy
• Fall Preservation & Foraging with Pat Crawford
• Basket Weaving with Jeanne Dudley
• Rug Weaving Workshop (Multi-Day 9th-10th) with Teri Showman

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

Ranch Horse Show Series - The sixth of the 2023 series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, extreme trail course competition, wine tasting, dance, food concessions, and more. Camping is available on the grounds.  

Explore Lake Sugema Prairie to tag monarchs. This guided program is to discover monarchs’ life cycle and the trip butterflies take south. 

This trail is grass and dirt, proper hiking attire, and bug spray is recommended.

Registration is REQUIRED, limited to 20 participants.

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

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.

• Rug Weaving Class with Teri Showman

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

Explore and discover various bird species found in our local habitat. This 2-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. We have a limited number of binoculars available if you don't have your own.

Registration is encouraged.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

 

The all-state tour highlights barns that have received matching grants from the Iowa Barn Foundation for their restoration and those that have received an Award of Distinction for restoration by the owner. 

The self-guided tour is free and open to the public and makes for a great multi-generation family weekend adventure. Participants have the unique opportunity to experience and appreciate Iowa's agricultural heritage as they walk through these majestic barns. This year's tour features 72 barns, including a record 8 round barns. 
Click here to see all listings

Van Buren County Barns

RIGSBY HILL BARN (OPEN ON SATURDAY ONLY)
22053 Hwy 1, Keosauqua, IA

SCHUYLER AND ISABELLA MORRIS BARN (CLARK BARN)
27882 107th Street, Stockport, IA

Morris Park Barn is not on the tour but is also open and just 4 miles from the Clark Barn.
10938 Timber Rd, Stockport, IA  

Cost: $15.00 per participant and preregistration is required

Bring your own drinks and a snack to share. All other supplies will be provided. Ages 10 years and older only. Limit 12 participants.

NOTE: Even though the registration form says FREE, there is a $15.00 fee per participant aged 10 years or older. Since there is no online payment option, fees may be paid in cash, by check, or by credit card (call 641-652-3352 for this option) and must be received by the AGHC on or before 9/7/2023 to guarantee your spot.

Enjoy the colors of fall leaves on this paddle!

Meet at Lacey Keosauqua Boat Ramp to paddle and explore at Lacey Keosauqua Lake. If you have your own canoe or kayak you are more than welcome to bring your own. The paddle is open to everyone, however, children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Registration is required.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

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.

• Blacksmithing: Beginning (Multi-Day) with Bill Printy & Mark Heisdorffer

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

Comb your mullet and brush your tooth for a Redneck Rendezvous!

• Beard Contest at 4pm in the playground shelter
• Mullet Contest at 4:15pm in the playground shelter
• Seed Spitting Contest at 4:30pm in the playground shelter
• Frozen Tshirt contest at 4:45pm (not what you think - this is child-appropriate)
• Redneck Horseshoes at 5:15 by Totem Pole
• Bring your own cooler - hot dogs and/or chili dogs will be available for purchase.

Come to the Birmingham Lions Building for some tenderloin sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, various desserts, and drinks. 

Cost of meal: $10 for meal or Sandwich and drink $6
Proceeds used for Lions projects.

Join Chloe at Lake Sugema Wildlife Area to discover the moon and constellations in the night sky.

This trail is grass and dirt, proper hiking attire, and bug spray are recommended. ?We will meet at Lake Sugema Campground near the non-reservable sites.?

Registration is encouraged.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

Want to try collecting native prairie seeds?

Learn how to collect native prairie seeds and discover various prairie plants in our local habitat at the Lake Sugema Wildlife Area.

This area has tall grass, wearing proper hiking attire, and bug spray is recommended. Meet at Lake Sugema Campground near the non-reservable sites. Kids 15 and under must be accompanied by a guardian.

Registration is encouraged.
Registration: MyCountyParks.com

Yum!
Enjoy a fish/chicken supper from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Serving: fish fillets, chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, various desserts, and drinks.

Cost of the meal: $13 and children 6 and under eat free.