ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

During ArtSplash weekend Aug. 31-Sept. 1., find activities, demonstrations, food and music all around the lawn of the Sioux City Art Center. (Photo: ArtSplash)

Arts & Culture

Make a splash in Sioux City at juried art show

Sioux City’s 30th annual ArtSplash event is happening Labor Day weekend at the Sioux City Art Center campus downtown. See a variety of work from exhibiting local artists in the juried art show, including ceramics, digital art, printmaking, jewelry, painting and sculpture. Plus, check out films screening at the Sioux City International Film Festival pop-up tent and vote for your favorite.

In addition to the art show, musicians will perform Saturday and Sunday on the main stage. Be sure to hear Des Moines-based singer-songwriter Andrew Hoyt and Sioux City’s own Luke Dawson. Need a snack in between sets? Diverse food vendors will be on hand with everything from barbecue, pizza and funnel cakes to kebabs and mochi ice cream. Hands-on activities, plus a kid’s zone, will keep everyone busy creating art of their very own.

Find a map of the festival and a list of exhibiting artists and vendors on the Sioux City Art Center website.

Head to Cedar Falls Sept. 8 for ARTapalooza, the city's annual juried art show featuring exhibiting artists from across the Midwest. (Photo: Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau)

Arts & Culture

Another art-filled weekend in Cedar Falls

You’ll find even more art along Main Street in downtown Cedar Falls during ARTapalooza Sept. 8. Now in its 18th year, the annual juried art show features exhibiting artists from across the Midwest, along with art demonstrations, entertainment and activities for kids from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the map online.

While you’re in the area, take a self-guided tour of the downtown historic district, which is bookended on the north by the 100-year-old Ice House Museum and the Black Hawk Hotel, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and on the south by the Victorian House Museum.

A tale of two trails: Now Raccoon River Valley Trail users have a direct path to the popular High Trestle Trail Bridge.

Around Iowa

Biking the new and improved High Trestle Trail

The new connection between the Raccoon River Valley and High Trestle trails in Central Iowa opened earlier this month, extending the scenic ride to a nearly 120-mile continuous loop for hikers, bikers, runners and walkers.

To test out the new connection, start in Perry and head east toward Woodward. From there, you can ride over the iconic 13-story High Trestle Trail Bridge. Photos are a must. Stop in Madrid to refresh with coffee at Vintage Road Coffee Co. and ice cream at the Filling Station.

Back on the trail, head south from Slater and you’ll end up in Uptown Ankeny in time for a hot meal and refreshments. There are several outdoor dining options, including Uptown Garage Brewing Co., an open-air eatery that serves Iowa-made beers. Firetrucker Brewery and the Trailside Tap are other options for enjoying a cold one aprés-cycle.

Peek inside the restored 110-year-old Friedlein Barn in Clayton County during the annual All-State Barn Tour Sept.14-15. (Photo: Iowa Barn Foundation)

Around Iowa

Tour barns across Iowa

Visitors are invited to take free, self-guided tours of barns across the state Sept.14 and 15, when more than 90 Iowa barns open their doors for visitors. All of the barns have been restored to highlight Iowa’s agricultural heritage, including 11 round barns, like the 110-year-old Friedlein Barn in Clayton County. Check the tour itinerary to find one nearest you, or plan a driving tour.

See cultural performances all day long in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 14. (Photo: Festival Latino of Cedar Rapids)

Arts & Culture

Cultures collide in Cedar Rapids

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The annual Festival Latino of Cedar Rapids gets the celebration going just before then on Sept. 14 in McGrath Amphitheatre 11 a.m.-6 p.m, hosted by nonprofit organization Latinos Unidos for Community Inclusion (LUCI).

Guests can immerse themselves in the diverse Latin food, art, music and dance from various countries, represented by volunteers and clubs from throughout the city. Watch the Parade of Nations and see how many flags you can identify, then head to the main stage to see a showcase of traditional dances and musical performances. There will also be activities for kids and plenty of pinatas. Eat your way through a variety of food offerings, or shop for souvenirs from artists and craft vendors.

Take home your own bushel of apples from Allen's Orchard of Marion after you visit Apfelfest in Amana.

Food & Dining

A is for apple, and Amana Colonies

It’s officially apple season in Iowa. While it’s still early for pick-your-own orchards, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the seasonal fruit. The Amana Colonies are hosting Apfelfest Sept. 14, complete with samples and German harvest time traditions. Folks from Allen’s Orchard of Marion will also be on hand with fresh fruit to take home.

Start your day with a hike along the Amana Nature Trail during the Fall Volksmarch, a traditional noncompetitive walk to promote physical fitness and camaraderie.

After some exercise, enjoy autumnal specialties like caramel apples, cider, apple doughnuts and more as you embark on the Apfelfest Sampling Stroll through town. You’ve earned it. Visit at least seven participating local businesses and stamp your Stroll Passport for a chance to win a prize.

(Clockwise from top left) Kevin Stiles, Annastasia Mullen, Bambi Press and Andy Bales will speak during a free virtual event Sept. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. focusing on what businesses and community leaders can do to combat hunger.

Iowa Stops Hunger

Meet statewide Hunger Heroes during virtual panel

Business Publications Corp. will showcase another year of its Iowa Stops Hunger initiative on Sept. 5 with a virtual event and the publication of its annual Iowa Stops Hunger magazine.

BPC and its publications, including the Business Record, dsm magazine and ia magazine, began Iowa Stops Hunger in 2020 as the number of people experiencing food insecurity increased during the early months of the pandemic. The goal was to bring attention to those who are food insecure and to shed light on those who have made it their mission to help.

Now, four years later, our publications continue to highlight the ways communities, individuals and organizations are coming together to meet the need and ease food insecurity across all 99 counties.
Join us for an action-oriented look at the heroic efforts of four Iowans who are working each and every day to help fight hunger in their communities at our upcoming virtual event, Iowa Stops Hunger: Hunger Heroes. Sign up for free to hear discussion from our four panelists and learn about ways you can take action, too.

Panelists include Andy Bales, executive director, Children and Family Urban Movement; Annastasia Mullen, senior manager of digital marketing, FoodCorps; Bambi Press, healthy aging director, Iowa Department on Aging; and Kevin Stiles, executive director (retired), Iowa Egg Council.

Iowa Stops Hunger is a Business Publications Corp. initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa. Read more on iowastopshunger.com.