GUTHRIE COUNTY - IOWA
Middle Raccoon River Valley
Discover Iowa's simple beauty.
Special Events
MAY 20, 2023
Starts in Jefferson, IA
The Market to Market® Relay is a team-running relay from Jefferson to Des Moines that covers 75 miles over 17 stages on a scenic and varied course. The course follows the Raccoon River Valley Trail System, paved streets, and gravel back roads through a diverse and scenic slice of west-central Iowa. Combine the running with outrageous costumes, memorable van rides, and a lively Post-Race Shindig & Expo in downtown Des Moines and it all adds up to 1 unforgettable day.
JUNE 03, 2023
Town Square - Panora, IA
Join the Guthrie County Arts Council for a full day of art, music, youth activities, food, and wine at the 8th-annual “Art in the Village Square.”
Artists from Guthrie County and Central Iowa will have booths throughout Panora's Town Square Park, displaying and selling their artwork--pottery, painting, photography, woodworking, jewelry, and more!
Live music all day so be sure to bring a lawn chair and stay awhile! More details on food offerings and youth activities at a later date. Keep checking the website.
JUNE 17, 2023
Starts in Waukee, IA
The 71-mile ride along the Raccoon River Valley Trail starts and ends in Waukee. Riders will find numerous bacon stops, a bacon-themed lunch, and numerous drink specials at establishments along the way. The event is presented by RAGBRAI, the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Not only will the BACooN RIDE be great fun, but 100% of the proceeds benefits the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, RAGBRAI’s Dream Team, and other great Iowa charities!
JUNE 03, 2023
AUGUST 26, 2023
Main Street - Stuart, IA
“Scoop the Loop” is a large, vintage auto event with no registration fees, prizes, or gifts. The casual atmosphere has made this event on of the larger in the region with car enthusiasts. Street food and music are also a part of this family-friendly evening.
JULY 27-29, 2023
Guthrie County Fairgrounds - Guthrie Center, IA
Guthrie’s River Ruckus is one of the most complete weekend get-a-ways for any country music fan! What started as a small one-night event in 2009, has now turned into a large 2-day event with a range of entertainers from local talent to big headliners.
Past entertainers have included: Gretchen Wilson, Brad Morgan, Big & Rich, Eric Church, and Hank Williams, Jr.
Now you can enjoy the entire weekend at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. Camping is available with over 700 spots onsite. Free entertainment, a mechanical bull, a Ferris wheel, and food will be located in the campgrounds.
AUGUST 2023
Whiterock Conservancy - Coon Rapids, IA
The Iowa Star Party happens every year where astronomers of all levels gather at Whiterock Conservancies, home of some of Iowa's darkest skies, and share their scopes, expertise, and their hobbies. The "star party" also includes camping, horseback riding, canoeing, trails, and birdwatching.
Friday evening, the public can come out and look through the telescopes.
AUGUST 04-05, 2023
Guthrie Center, IA
This will be the 25th year for the Guthrie County Southern Gospel Sing. The event is two full days of continuous music held at the Events Center located at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. The Gospel Sing started with only three quartets preforming outside in one afternoon. It has now grown to a two-day event with groups coming from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. The groups that are performing today range from soloists to quartets to families. The music that is performed is a wonderful mixture of hymns, big band sounds, country songs, and patriotic numbers. Free-will donation appreciated.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
AUGUST 31- SEPTEMBER 04, 2023
Guthrie Center, IA
According to the 1907 Guthrie County History book, the first fair was held in Guthrie Center, on the block that was once occupied by the Cottage Hotel and Dunley Brothers store. With the enthusiasm for the fair encouraging, the Agricultural Society purchased a tract of land just west of the river from William Tracy. This is the location of the fair even today.
Over the last 150 years, while there have been many changes to the Guthrie County Fair, like horse races being replaced with the mud bogs and a new grandstand replacing the old wooden one, some things will never change. Nothing can replace the cotton candy, corndogs, and Ferris wheel that still delight the crowds after all these years.
Special events include the parade, Teen Town Dance, live entertainment for the whole family, mud bog races, and bingo. An amusement park with a merry-go-round and other rides keeps the kids entertained. Don’t forget to tour the 4H Exhibit Hall, the Art Hall, the country school museum, and the livestock barns.
The Guthrie County Fair is held every Labor Day weekend. The fairgrounds have camping sites available for visitors and entertainment for all.
AUGUST 04-05, 2023
Grimes to Manilla, IA
The Hwy 141 Garage Sale is the longest garage sale in Iowa, and if you’ve never been, you will certainly want to make it this year. Every year the sale grows bigger and bigger with more treasures to be found.
The sale starts in Grimes and stretches 115 miles west to Manilla. Bargain hungers will find countless sales set up in city parks, side streets, parking lots, and farm homes all along Hwy 141.
Local groups and civic organizations also serve great food, like homemade sweet rolls or beef burger sandwiches, which you’ll need to keep your energy going.
JUNE 03, 2023
Dexter to Adair, IA
This fun garage sale takes place along old Hwy 6, also know as the White Pole Road Scenic Byway. The WPR stretches 26 miles in the southern part of Guthrie County and includes Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart, and Dexter (in Dallas County).
While traveling from town to town in search of bargains, visitors will follow the poles painted white and pass several barn quilts, the restored Sacony Mobile Gas Man, the old Stuart Depot and Hotel that are being restored, and the 1923 viaduct in Adair.
The WPR sale will not only be a bargain-hunting trip, but a beautiful site-seeing tour of some of Guthrie County’s most beautiful countryside. It is definitely worth a drive.