GUTHRIE COUNTY - IOWA
Middle Raccoon River Valley
Discover Iowa's simple beauty.
Special Events
MAY 10, 2025
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.
2025 Season. Check website for dates and times.
Guthrie County Historical Village - Panora, IA
Every summer, the Guthrie County Historical Village offers free educational program and events to the public.
Popular programs include the local history of Bonnie and Clyde, a tour along the Newton Stage Coach and Underground Railroad, and a Quilt Walk.
Check the Historical Village's website for upcoming events.
JUNE 14, 2025
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!
MAY 17, 2025
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
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 2025
Whiterock Conservancy - Coon Rapids, IA
The Iowa Gravel Classic is a family-friendly event on the scenic gravel roads of Guthrie County. Presented by Spotted Horse Cycling and Relentless Events LLC, Iowa Gravel Classic offers a choice of 100 miles or 100 kilometers of self-supported adventure on the best gravel and dirt roads in the area. A challenging course, beautiful scenery, Iowa dirt roads, along with soul crushing hills will test your mind as well as your fitness.
​
Whiterock Conservancy is a non-profit land trust that stewards over 5000 acres of forest, wetlands and oak savannah along the Middle Raccoon River watershed. Whiterock has 30 miles of multi-use trails available for hiking and mountain biking. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, and there are multiple campsites with showers on the property.
AUGUST 2025
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 02-03, 2025
Guthrie Center, IA
This will be the 27th 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 29- SEPTEMBER 01, 2025
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 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, Figure 8 races, live entertainment for the whole family, 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 01-02, 2025
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 07, 2025
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.