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Have some family fun exploring the Loess Hills at these family-friendly events! There are a variety of events in the counties and communities along the byway, from seasonal festivals and county fairs to celebrations of local history or artists.
Enjoy creative and decorative scarecrows in Akron at the northern end of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, be inspired by local artists from the Siouxland area, learn local history in Council Bluffs, and eat free popcorn in Hamburg at the southern end of the byway . . . there are family-friendly opportunities year-round throughout the Loess Hills of Western Iowa. Check out the events calendar for more fun and exciting events on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. |
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Great Akron Scarecrow Festival
Photo: Great Akron Scarecrow Festival
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Fun for all ages! Scarecrow decorating contest, fall produce and crafts, kids games, petting zoo, delicious food, dozens of vendors, and the support of the Akron community!
What started as a small event has grown to attract visitors, competitors, and vendors from throughout northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota. It is held the third Saturday of September every year. All proceeds from the festival go to support local community organizations and projects. The Great Akron Scarecrow Festival is hosted and organized by the 40 members of the Akron Friendship & Service Club, a non-profit charitable and service organization that is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), and supported by dozens of volunteers to make the event possible. |
ArtSplash Art Festival
Photo: ArtSplash Art Festival
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Sioux City Art Center’s ArtSplash is a family-centered art festival of exceptional quality that enriches the region’s quality of life by bringing the excitement of the visual arts to the Siouxland community.
ArtSplash is a popular Siouxland community event, featuring a great variety of artworks by artists from across the country. Along with the artists, there is family-friendly live entertainment and lots of hands-on art activities for children and adults! The 2025 edition will be held the second weekend of September (the festival was previously held during Labor Day weekend). ArtSplash is a project of the Sioux City Art Center. Proceeds fund education and exhibition programs and help the Sioux City Art Center remain free to the public. |
Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment
Photo: Sioux City, Iowa Government
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Explore an 1804 living-history camp replicating the Lewis and Clark expedition’s stay in present-day Sioux City.
The grounds of the Sergeant Floyd River Museum on the riverfront showcases authentic tents, camp equipment, uniforms, and firearms like those used during the expedition. Re-enactors from the local Sergeant Floyd Honor Guard interact with visitors to bring the history of the encampment to life. The weekend event usually takes place around the anniversary of Sergeant Charles Floyd’s death on August 20. Floyd was the only member of the Corps of Discovery to die during the journey. The burial re-enactment ceremony is held on the Saturday of the weekend event at the Sergeant Floyd Monument. The living-history camp takes place the following day at the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Iowa Welcome Center. |
Railroad Days
Photo: Unleash CB
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Railroad Days is an annual celebration of all things train and track! Celebrate Council Bluffs' rich railroad heritage and place in history as historic Mile Zero for Union Pacific Railroad.
Kids will be excited to ride the trollies to each participating location and to take part in numerous hands-on activities that explore the vast world of the railroad! Railroad Days is typically held on a Saturday in September. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum, RailsWest Railroad Museum, Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment (PACE), the Historic General Dodge House, Council Bluffs Public Library, 712 Initiative, and the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce team up to offer this annual event. |
Popcorn Day
Photo: Hamburg Reporter
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Hamburg is home to the annual Popcorn Day celebration in September, the Saturday after Labor Day. With a parade, flea market, and free popcorn, what’s not to love?
There are activities and events all day, including a car show, children's activities, local vendors, delicious food, and free popcorn, of course! Alex and Arthur Vogel started Vogel and Son Popcorn Company in 1948 in Hamburg. The company grew to the point where they bought the city's old water tower and train station to store their popcorn (the two structures hold a million pounds of popcorn). In 1960, Hamburg started its Popcorn Days festival. Vogel Popcorn is now owned by ConAgra Foods but remains headquartered in the city. Its popcorn is used in Act II and Orville Redenbacher's. |
Three more for the road . . .
County FairsSeven county fairs and the 4-County Fair!
Photo: 4 County Fair
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Onawa Harvest FestivalTons of fun for the whole family!
Harvest Festival of Onawa, Iowa
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MoValley Rally
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Annual event at Missouri Valley's city park!
Photo: MoValley Rally
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