ia Season Preview

Hello there, fellow Iowans,

It’s almost summer, so you know what to do: Make hay while the sun shines. Or ignore the hay and go have fun!

Whoever came up with that old haymaking wisdom obviously never subscribed to this quarterly newsletter, which offers so many better ways to spend the sunny days ahead. There are festivals, concerts, outdoor activities and more, all curated by the team here at ia magazine.

Keep in mind, this isn’t everything. The following listings are the things we think look the most promising. And we steered clear of Des Moines, since you can subscribe for free to our dsmWeekly newsletter and quarterly dsm Season Preview.

Thanks for reading — and keep in touch,

Michael Morain
Editor, dsm and ia

The free Saturday in the Park music festival in Sioux City draws big names and bigger crowds. (Photo: Britton Hacke)

Around Iowa

A rockin’ walk in the park in Sioux City

Just over 30 years ago, the inaugural Saturday in the Park festival kicked off at Grandview Park in Sioux City. Since then, it's become a beloved tradition every year on the Saturday nearest to the Fourth of July. This year, that’s July 6.

Over the years, crowds of more than 25,000 have flocked to see performances by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Kacey Musgraves, Earth, Wind & Fire and many others. The best part: Admission is free.

This year, the Jack Antonoff-led rock band Bleachers headlines the main stage, in a stacked lineup with Del Water Gap, Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs, and country crooner Nikki Lane.

But it's not just about the music. “Arts Alley” showcases tie-dye threads, hand-blown glass and carved leather jewelry. Massage therapists and caricature artists will be on hand, too. And food vendors on “Eats Street” will keep folks fueled for a full day of dancing. You can read all the details on the festival’s website.

More Festivals

North Iowa Band Festival, May 23-27, Mason City. Pull out your neon and shoulder pads: This year’s '80s-themed event commemorates the 85th anniversary of the Midwest’s largest marching band competition.

JunqueFest, May 24-25, Webster City. With a spelling like that, you know this isn’t any ordinary junk. Enjoy two full days of shopping, wine tasting and live music at this annual antique festival and handmade market.

Iowa Renaissance Festival, May 25-27 and June 1-2, Amana. Travel back in time with music, horseback jousting and generous mugs of honey mead. For those who have been wanting to live out their medieval fantasies, you’re in luck: Costumes are heartily encouraged.

Tivoli Fest & Julefest, May 26-27, Elk Horn. The largest rural Danish settlement in the United States its Old World roots during this annual celebration. Enjoy free access to local museums, the Danish windmill and a fireworks show on Saturday night.

Iowa Quilt Festival, June 5-8, Winterset. Kick off the weekend with workshops and lectures on the art of quiltmaking. Don't miss the quilt display on the last day, featuring handmade creations draped across the historic Covered Bridges of Madison County and other local landmarks.

Glen Miller Festival, June 8-11, Clarinda. Glen Miller’s hometown pays homage to the iconic trombone player and bandleader with performances by his namesake orchestra, a swing dance competition and much more.

Iowa Arts Festival, June 7-9, Iowa City. The award-winning festival features more than 100 artists of all genres, from painters and jewelers to silk aerialists and dancers.

Snake Alley Festival of Film, July 11-14, Burlington. Enjoy a variety of short films and learn about the movie-making process with filmmaker Q&As, screenplay table reads and dozens of screenings.

Hillsdale Lily Festival, July 13, Glenwood. With luck and a little sunshine, more than 100,000 lilies will be blooming at Hillsdale’s gardens in early July, when you can buy lilies to take home or simply enjoy on site. Proceeds benefit the Tanner Foss Project, a nonprofit that supports youth arts.

Summerfest, July 18-21, Hull. As the home to the Foreign Candy Co., this northwest Iowa town is a sweet tooth’s paradise. Enjoy Saturday’s Candy Parade during a weekend packed with various sweet activities.

Nordic Fest, July 25-27, Decorah. Velkommen! More than 10,000 revelers flock to this annual celebration of Scandinavian culture. Dive into traditional crafts at the Vesterheim Museum, watch a Viking combat demonstration and savor authentic Scandinavian food.

Ballet Des Moines is taking "Love Letters" on the road. (Photo: Jami Milne)

Arts & Culture

Ballet Des Moines stretches statewide for summer tour

It’s a bird! … A plane? … Nope, it’s some ballet dancers, jumping to a stage near you. Ballet Des Moines recently announced its fourth statewide summer tour, with free outdoor performances planned for early June in Dubuque, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

This year’s program features “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” set to the famous score by Felix Mendelssohn, and “Love Letters,” which premiered in February at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. The company’s artistic director, Tom Mattingly, choreographed the new work with inspiration drawn from letters the company gathered from LGBTQ Iowans across the state.

As in previous summers, the ballet performances will coincide with interactive STEM activities for all ages, including a peek inside Iowa State University’s FLEx Virtual Reality Lab and a chance to meet some nocturnal animals from Blank Park Zoo.

“Ballet embodies not only the science of movement but the wonder of human capabilities. What a thrill it has been to pair the arts and sciences together and take it on tour, for free, for families to enjoy together,” Sara Nelson noted in the company’s tour announcement. Nelson directs the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, which teamed up with Ballet Des Moines two years ago for the premiere of a new ballet about the solar system.

Here are the dates for next month’s tour:
June 1: Alliant Energy Amphitheater, Dubuque
June 5: Expo Plaza at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo
June 7: Brucemore, Cedar Rapids
June 8: PrideFest in the East Village, Des Moines
June 9: Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, Des Moines

More Arts & Culture

“To My Friends at Horn: Keith Haring and Iowa City,” through Jan. 7, 2025, Iowa City. The University of Iowa’s Stanley Art Museum commemorates the late Pop artist’s visit to Iowa City in the '80s, when he created a mural for Horn Elementary School.

“The National Collection: 50 Years of NCSML,” through Jan. 12, 2025, Cedar Rapids. Check out garnet jewelry, porcelain, glass, a motorcycle, an Andy Warhol silkscreen print and much more from the permanent collection at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.

“Sculpture Garden,” through June 23, Davenport. A gallery at the Figge Art Museum becomes an indoor “garden” to showcase hefty sculptures from the permanent collection, with a slate of meditative programming.

“Tim Olson: The Hall of Notable Iowans & Other Midwest Curiosities,” May 9-Sept. 15. The Dubuque artist showcases stained-glass portraits of Iowa icons like Dan Gable and Denise Long, along with paintings of more ordinary folks, too.

“Chicago,” May 14, Ames, and May 15, Davenport. The national tour of the razzle-dazzle musical about an alleged murder (“He had it comin’.”) visits Stephens Auditorium before moving east to the Adler Theatre.

Open Air Media Festival, May 31 and June 1, Iowa City. The free festival offers video screenings at FilmScene, plus an array of outdoor art projects, performances and installations organized by Public Space One.

“Come From Away,” June 4-6, Iowa City. The upbeat musical about 9/11 airline passengers who were rerouted to a hospitable but tiny town in Newfoundland visits Hancher Auditorium.

Get a load of this: Eat your fill of all things grilled at Centerville's BBQ and Brew Festival. (Photo: Peter Pham)

Food & Dining

Get a taste of summer with barbecue and beer

Take a trip to Centerville for the June 28-29 weekend for the third annual BBQ and Brew Festival. Load up on brisket, pork butts, pork ribs and chicken all cooked by 12 teams of local barbecue pros vying for a top spot in the barbecue competition. The event takes place in the Centerville Square and is free to attend, but you’ll have to buy a ticket to sample the fare.

Beyond smoked meat, there will be several beer vendors selling IPAs, stouts and more for perfect pairing with each sample. There will also be live music, lawn games and other activities to really capture the backyard barbecue vibe.

More Food & Dining

Midwest VegFest, June 2, Fairfield. Herbivores, unite! Celebrate all things vegan and vegetarian at this annual gathering in Fairfiled’s Central Park. There will be vendors, speakers, a community dinner, film screening and silent auction.

Ice Cream Days, June 12-15, Le Mars. This mainstay “chill-a-bration” is an ode to the dessert that made Le Mars the ice cream capital of the world. The jam-packed schedule includes musical performances, games, outdoor movies, a carnival, and of course, several ice cream socials.

Wurst Festival, June 14-15, Amana Colonies. Get ready to have the wurst day of the summer. Taste German sausages galore and vote for your favorites, then sample other traditional offerings from beer and dessert vendors. Plus, there’s weiner dog races.

The Beer Fest, June 15, Bettendorf. Downtown at the Warehouse, sample beers from all over Iowa with a smorgasbord of food-truck favorites. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Bands and Brews, June 21, Cedar Falls. Still thirsty? Another beer-tasting event supports Iowa Public Radio, with samples from more than 20 Iowa breweries and live music.

Iowa Supper Clubs webinar, June 27, online. Megan Bannister, the author of "Iowa Supper Clubs," discusses the history of the unique Midwestern dining tradition and shares a few road-trip-worthy suggestions for an honest-to-goodness meal.

Lazy River Beer & Wine Festival, June 22, Marquette. This event at Riverfront Park offers samples of beer and wine, right by the mighty Mississippi.

Farm to Fork dinner, June 28, Ryan. Venture out to the countryside for an authentic farm-to-table dinner experience and meet the chefs and local farmers who put it all together.

A screenshot of Travel Iowa's interactive parks map proves our point: There are parks all over the place.

Around Iowa

So many parks — and one handy guide

If you toss a dart at an Iowa map, there’s a decent chance you’ll hit a state or county park – or at least get close. They’re all over the place, scattered across all 99 counties.

But if you prefer to plan your outdoor adventures with a little more intention, we recommend Travel Iowa’s handy guide to 99 parks, which offers curated itineraries to fit your particular style and interests. Are you a “happy glamper”? Book a cabin at Briggs Woods Park near Webster City or the Pioneer Ridge Nature Area and Center near Ottumwa. Or maybe you’re an “amphibian”? Wade into the water at Yellow Smoke Park near Denison or Lake Miami over by Lovilia.

The guide offers other suggestions for “outdoor connoisseurs,” “active adventurers,” “well-informed wanderers” and explorers with pets. For more ideas, click over to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ many (many!) suggestions for things to do.

More Outdoor Recreation

Taco Ride, Thursdays through October, Council Bluffs. Grab your bike and pedal about 20 miles round-trip on the scenic Wabash Trace Nature Trail from Council Bluffs to Mineola. Bonus: There will be tacos.

Puttin’ Around, May 18, Iowa City. You’ve heard of a bar crawl, now just add mini golf, drink specials and prizes. Compete a round of putt-putt at 15 different bars across downtown Iowa City with your team of four.

Free Fishing Weekend, June 2-4, all Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources allows all Iowa residents to fish without a license during the first weekend in June.

Summer Iowa Games, July 13-21, Ames. Why wait for the Olympics when you can DIY closer to home? Pro tip: Enter an overlooked event where you might be the only competitor.

Albia Holy Cow, July 19-20, Albia. Race through miles of Monroe County countryside on foot or by bike during this Iowa Gravel Series event.

University of Okoboji Homecoming Races, July 20, Okoboji. Athletes from all over the country converge for a triathlon, team triathlon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K races.

Lounge at the Inn Hotel's rooftop pool when you want a break from the lake. (Photo: Drew Dau Photo)

Destinations

Summer staycation: Okoboji

It might feel like summer is still ages away, but it’s time to start planning a great lake escape. With free concerts throughout summer, kitschy amusement park rides and games, two free museums and more, there are plenty of dry-land activities at Arnolds Park in addition to water fun.

STAY: The chic Inn Hotel in Arnolds Park romances an iconic 1920s Okoboji lake vibe, with its Art Deco style and Beach Club Lounge. The hotel and lounge take their names from a prior inn that served the area for over 120 years. The Inn Hotel is conveniently located steps from West Okoboji Lake. Plan on walking to restaurants, bars, museums and the lake. Once you settle in, head to the lounge by the lobby for a Hook + Ladder cocktail or a hangout at the rooftop pool.

EAT: Walk to Yesterdays Restaurant in minutes from the Inn. The local favorite opens in May for the summer season. With reasonably priced and well-executed house specialties, plus sandwiches and salads, it’s easy to see why this dining spot has remained popular for 35 years. The Cedar Plank Salmon is always a winner, and the Japanese Teppanyaki Room serves Asian-inspired fare.

DO: Find rentals for paddleboards, Jet Skis, parasails and more at Extreme Watersports right down the street from the Inn. Or stay dry and catch a free show during the Live at the Lake concert series now through August. Smash Mouth stops by June 1, and tons of other headliners follow throughout the summer.

No trip to Boji would be complete without a ride on the Legend roller coaster. Built in 1930, it’s the 13th-oldest roller coaster in the world. You can also race your besties in go-carts, play vintage pinball, or check out antique wooden boats at the Maritime Museum.