Poll Results: Favorite Local Events

Living in Central Iowa has its advantages and one of them is the seemingly endless number of events going on at any given time. Since my family and I moved to Warren County in 1997, this is what we appreciate most. There is a lot to offer just in our immediate area southwest of the Metro area without needing to go to Des Moines. Last week I listed a few events and asked my readers which one was their favorite. I will let you know what the results were later in the article.  

 

The first event coming up on the calendar is the National Balloon Classic, which takes place from July 26th through August 3rd in Indianola, IA. This annual event has been going on for 52 years, drawing hot air balloons, their pilots, teams, and spectators from all over the world. Over 85,000 spectators will watch as over 100 hot air balloons compete in several competitions and staged events. It truly is a spectacular event and is located in the heart of Warren County.   

 

The next event is right on the heels of the National Balloon Classic and is also held in Indianola, IA. The 93rd year of the Warren County Fair located at the Warren County Fairgrounds runs from August 5th through August 10th. Besides all the exhibits, there are many shows and events to see, ranging from rodeos, car races, truck, tractor, and horse pulls, concerts, livestock sales, carnival rides, and lots of fun competitions.  

 

I need to mention that the community of Indianola will be ready for some peace and quiet after the National Balloon Classic is done. Not only do they have these two back-to-back events going on, but a third event that I didn’t even mention will happen on July 24th, two days before the County Fair starts. The 51st Register’s Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) will be passing through Indianola as approximately 8,500 bicyclists make their way from the overnight stop in Winterset to the next overnight stop in Knoxville. RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world. The ride from Iowa’s Western border at the Missouri River to the eastern border at the Mississippi River is an epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. 

 

The next event on the calendar is in Des Moines, but it just has to be included. Of course, I am talking about the Iowa State Fair that runs from August 8th through August 18th. It is one of the best, if not the best, state fairs in the country. The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment, and achievement. It is the true heartbeat of the Midwest, unequaled and unduplicated. 

 

Next on the calendar is the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival on October 12th & 13th. Except for the tours of the covered bridges themselves, most of the activities are in the town of Winterset and include historic building tours, car show, tractor ride, pancake breakfast at the fire station, horseshoe tournament, farmers market, 5K walk/run, crafts, vendors, entertainment, and much more. Interest in the historic covered bridges scattered across Madison County escalated after the 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County, a romantic drama starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, based on Robert James Waller’s novel of the same name, came out. The movie was primarily filmed on location right in Madison County. Madison County is a beautiful county with lots of history. Winterset is the birthplace of John Wayne and location of the John Wayne Museum, was integral in the Underground Railroad, and was where George Washington Carver spent a small part of his life. The town has many grand historic homes and buildings, and of course, 6 famous covered bridges.  

 

Of the 4 events I mentioned, the readers of my newsletter said their favorite is the Iowa State Fair with 39% of the votes, followed by the National Balloon Classic with 29% of the votes, and the Warren County Fair and the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival tied for 3rd place with 16% of the votes each.    

 

Of course there are many other great events in the area during the year. I hope you are able to take some time to enjoy them. Life is pretty good here in this area.