ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

Baseball? Tim McGraw likes it, he loves it, he wants some more of it at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville.

Tim McGraw is on deck at the Field of Dreams

Believe it or not, a few tickets are still up for grabs for Tim McGraw's concert Saturday at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville. The three-time Grammy winner headlines an all-American celebration of music, history, baseball and family traditions. The singer's dad, MLB legend Tug McGraw, will be honored during the festivities.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can tour the site of the 1989 movie, run the bases on the famous field and poke around Dyersville, which knows how to throw a party for visitors from around the world.

“The Field of Dreams team is honored to host Tim McGraw this summer at the beloved movie site,” said Nathan Runde, board president for Dyersville Events, Inc. “The concert promises to be a celebration of music and community in this beautiful corner of Iowa.”

The country star has sold more than 103 million records worldwide and racked up 19 No. 1 albums. He's recorded some of the biggest singles of all time, including “Live Like You Were Dying” and “Humble and Kind.” So, yeah: He knows all about big hits, just like his dad.

The 1918 Plymouth County Fair Barn in Le Mars is on this year's tour. (Photo: Iowa Barn Foundation)

The country's biggest barn tour, bar none

Ready for a road trip? This fall's Iowa Barn Foundation All-State Barn Tour includes a record-breaking 103 restored barns, all open for visitors 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14. The self-guided tour is free and open to the public.

The twice-a-year tours, in spring and fall, highlight barns that have received restoration grants from the Iowa Barn Foundation and those that have received awards for preservation and restoration. The foundation started in 1997 with a mission to preserve Iowa's rural buildings as symbols of the state's agricultural heritage.

A new museum opens Sept. 5 next door to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. (Photo: Surf Ballroom)

Surf's up, with a new museum in Clear Lake

A new immersive museum opens Sept. 5 next to the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. With historic artifacts and multimedia bells and whistles, the Surf Music Experience Center's "Not Fade Away" exhibition honors the lives and legacies of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who died in a plane crash on a cold winter night in 1959.

The museum tells the story of the musicians' rise in early rock 'n' roll and uses immersive soundscapes and video clips to reimagine their legendary Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2020. The opening weekend offers a full slate of programs and activities, both at the ballroom and the new museum.

Are these ghosts or film festival guests? At Halloweenapalooza, it's hard to tell. (Photo: Halloweenapalooza)

Brace yourselves for a spooky time in Ottumwa

Iowa's annual horror movie festival and Halloween celebration, Halloweenapalooza, is set for Oct. 10 and 11 at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa. The festival attracts independent filmmakers, movie fans and, possibly, a few ghosts for a weekend of entertainment.

This year, visitors will get a chance to meet Amanda Bearse, William Ragsdale and Stephen Geoffreys from the movie "Fright Night." The weekend also includes screenings, a vendor expo, a costume contest and at least one zombie walk. But who knows? Zombies don't like to stick to a schedule.

Find more than a dozen certified Iowa film festivals online at Travel Iowa.

At Pikes Peak State Park, the views stretch out for miles across the mighty Mississippi. (Photo: Iowa DNR)

State Park spotlight: Pikes Peak in McGregor

Fall is almost here, which means it's a good time for a hike. Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor features 11 miles of trails with scenic bluffs and valleys. For new or experienced hikers, the park has trails for all ages and experience levels. Keep an eye out for fossil remains along the paths.

Hike half a mile to Bridal Veil Falls, enjoy the view from Point Ann and see where the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers converge. For a longer adventure, camp on one of the several campgrounds through November or simply reserve a shelter to take in the views.