ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

The African American Museum of Iowa will honor history makers at this years' gala. (Photo: African American Museum of Iowa)

History in the making at the African American Museum of Iowa

The African American Museum of Iowa will host its annual History Makers Gala on Thursday, Oct. 2, highlighting the achievements of four Iowans: Dr. Michael Blackwell of Cedar Falls, a longtime spiritual leader, professor, and author; Renee Dunn of Dubuque, founder of Turnt Kidz, the city’s first Black female-owned nonprofit majorette and hip-hop dance organization; Ricki King of Windsor Heights, a genealogist uncovering untold chapters of Iowa’s Black history; and Nolden Gentry of Des Moines, a retired lawyer and community leader who broke barriers as the first African American member of the Des Moines Public School Board.

The honorees were nominated by their peers and chosen by an AAMI committee for the impact they've made in their communities.

"We’re happy to celebrate these History Makers and proudly showcase Iowa’s Black history," said AAMI Executive Director Jacqueline Hunter in a prepared statement. "At this time when federal funds for nonprofits have been cut and DEI programs have been shuttered, we know the mission of the African American Museum of Iowa is more important than ever. This gala is a chance to remind people not only how they can support the AAMI, but also that the AAMI is a resource they can turn to."

The AAMI serves as a preservation and learning hub of African American history in Iowa. Funds raised at the event support the AAMI’s mission.

The gala will be held at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. Reservations and more information about each of the honorees is available at blackiowa.org/gala.

Nothing like a scarecrow to ward off hunger at the Made in Iowa Fall Festival.

Festival set to scare away hunger

The unsung heroes of the garden are here to help put food on Iowan's tables.

The Scarecrows Against Hunger movement works to raise funds and awareness for food insecurity across the state using the quirky field decorations. The group is partnering with Made in Iowa, a recurring vendor market in Cedar Rapids, to put on the Scarecrow Festival on Oct. 18 at Hawkeye Downs Expo Center.

Local businesses, artists and families are invited to create their own scarecrow for public display at the festival, which will run in tandem with the Made in Iowa vendor fair. Along with a food drive during the event, 10% of door fees will go to Together We Achieve, a nonprofit that fights local hunger in Iowa.

Businesses and others interested in building their own scarecrow can sign up on the festival’s website.

The Crown Prince Haakon pictured alongside Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. (Photo: Dusan Reljin / The Royal)

Prince of Norway coming to Decorah

Norwegian royalty will be gracing the streets on Decorah this fall.

To mark 200 years of Norwegian immigration to the United States, Prince Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, will visit Decorah on Oct. 6.

According to the Vesterheim Norwegian Museum, on Oct. 9, 1825, a boat called the "Restauration" docked in the New York harbor with 53 Norwegians in search for a better life and religious freedom. They are documented as the first organized group of Norwegian immigrants in the United States. Many early Norwegians chose to settle in Winneshiek County around Decorah, according to Iowa PBS.

During Haakon's visit, he'll be touring the Vesterheim as well as Luther College. This is just one stop on his trip before he heads to Minnesota and New York.

The public will be invited to come to the event, however, times are still being determined by the organizers.

Enjoy local live music among the beautiful scenery at the Reiman Gardens Botanical Bash. (Photo: Reiman Gardens)

Botanical Bash: Reiman Gardens' 30th anniversary

Reiman Gardens is in bloom for its big anniversary celebration.

Iowa State University’s 17-acre public garden, and one of the top-rated attractions in Iowa, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month during the Botanical Bash on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 5-9 p.m.

This year's theme is “Picture Perfect: Celebrating 30 Years of Beauty” and will feature food trucks, live music, a drone light show and interactive elements for the whole family. All proceeds go to the garden’s mission to support the butterflies, plants and garden programming.

Colorful balloons line the sky at the Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days. (Photo: Creston Chamber of Commerce)

Going up, up, up: Hot Air Balloon Days

Creston is taking the competition to the skies during their 47th annual Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days.

More than 30 balloons will participate in races spanning three days of fun. Balloon events will be held Friday, Sept. 19 through Sept. 21, along with other activities set firmly on the ground including a craft fair, flea market, marching band competitions and parades. If you're feeling brave, there will be tethered balloon rides for anyone to hitch a ride going up.

For more information visit the Creston Chamber of Commerce website.