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Annual Events, arranged by usual dates

Winterfest: Variety of indoor and outdoor traditional and and various fun contests, including pie eating, watermelon Amana Artisan’s Studio Tours: Artists’ private workshops and
modern winter activities, including ice sculpting, ice block seed-spitting, bubble-gum blowing, and gunny sack races, July studios are opened to the public, mid September, Amanas.
cutting, sled rides, log-sawing contests, cross-country skiing, 4th weekend, Marengo.
showshoeing, sledding, a wine 5K run/walk and much more, Civil War Days: Living history reenactment, plus dance, third
mid to late January, Amanas. Meskwaki Proclamation Day Pow Wow: Celebrating the date weekend in September, Belle Plaine.
of the tribe’s first land purchase on July 13, 1857, open to the
Biannual Song and Poetry Festival: Celebrates and public through invitation only, Meskwaki Pow Wow Grounds. Oktoberfest: Traditional German food, song, and dance,
perpetuates Amana songs, poems, and traditions, early April, theater shows, beer tastings, and more, first week of October,
Amanas. Handcrafts Through the Ages: Artisans and crafters Amanas.
representing traditions from the 1800s to the present,
Festival of American Basketry: Watch or hands-on learn demonstrate their talents, many hands-on activities, mid July, Willow Harvest Weekend: Harvest and sort willows and
about basketry at this weekend festival, late April, Amanas. Amanas. weave baskets under the direction of a talented basketmaker,
mid October, High Amana
Homestead Progressive Dinner: Travel to heritage sites to Tour de Brew: Annual poker run for bicyclists, starting and
hear stories of old Amana and enjoy traditional food, late April, ending at the Millstream Brewery, following in the traditions of Czech Fest: Includes traditional Czech dinner, Czech band,
Amanas. German brewing, mid July, Amanas. and lectures on Czech history, late October, Belle Plaine.
Easter Egg Hunt: Kids can participate in a traditional Easter Bluegrass ‘n Old Time Country Music Festival: Covered Fall Fiber and Clay Art Show: Show and sale of weaving,
Egg Hunt held at the Amana Heritage Museum, usually the stage and many buildings for artist’s “jamming,” early August, textile arts, baskets, and pottery, early November, Amanas.
day before Easter, Amana. Marengo.
Communal Meal Celebration: Traditional Amana cuisine
Maifest: Traditional German food, song, dance, and crafts, first Festival of the Arts: Local and regional artists showcase their reminiscent of those served in communal kitchens from
week in May, Amanas. works, entertainment and kids activities also, early August, 1855 -1932, by kerosene light using the plates and flatware of
Amanas. Amana’s communal ancestors, mid-November, Amanas.
Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival: Carnival, parade,
children’s games, entertainment, ice cream social, 5K run, and Meskwaki Powwow: Contemporary and traditional styles Victorian Christmas Tea: Festive tea, with Queen Victoria as
food, all in celebration of unique bridge, mid May, Tama. of competition dancing, colorful dance regalia, arts, crafts, the special guest, late November, Belle Plaine.
exhibits, and traditional food, second full weekend in August,
Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco Festival: Enjoy live music, Meskwaki Powwow Grounds. Tannenbaum Forest: Live decorated trees, many in traditional
dancing, dance workshops, kid’s carnival and more, late May, German styles, Thanksgiving to mid-December, Amanas.
Amanas. WoodFest: Features all types of functional and artistic Pilgrim Heights Autumn Harvest Festival: Apple picking
wood creations, including artist demonstrations, late August,
Renaissance Festival: See magicians, costumed fighters and Amanas. and baking, leaf hunting, scarecrow building, pumpkin and
performers, including jousts, food, crafts, and more, late May, gourd painting, pumpkin-rolling relays, late September or early
Amanas. Fresh Paint Plein Air Amana: Watch artists paint in the open October, Montour.
air throughout the Amanas, Labor Day weekend.
Beckster (Polka) Festival: Polka celebration, including live Prelude to Christmas: Showcases candlelit streets, craft
bands, food, and plenty of dancing, weekend after Memorial Chelsea’s Fall Festival: Lunch featuring Czech desserts, sales, and demonstrations, early December, Amanas.
Day, Amanas. bingo, country store, children’s games, and a dance, early Meskwaki Craft Fair: Meskwaki-made foods and crafts,
September, Chelsea.
Third of July Celebration: Parade, fireworks, classic car December, Meskwaki Tribal Center.
show, BBQ, street dance, Belgian Rolle Bolle tournament, Festival of Iowa Beers: Sample the products of Iowa craft
breweries and home brew clubs, early September, Amana.