Golden Hills is working with local partners to find volunteers for our seed harvesting project. Volunteers will visit local prairie remnants and learn how to identify which plants are available for seed collection. The hand-collected seed will then be used for local prairie restoration and reconstruction projects. Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock. No experience required, but be prepared for a short hike on steep terrain.
Pottawattamie County Conservation is in need of trail stewards who aren't afraid to get dirty while blazing and maintaining four-season recreational trails. Will you answer our call? Join the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol and learn more about becoming a specialized Trail Steward volunteer on Tuesday, October 3rd, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills Lodge (in the Goldfinch Room). For those unable to join us in person to learn more, an online version of the meeting will also be made available. Please check the event website or visit the Hitchcock Nature Center Facebook page for information on how to join virtually.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
Pottawattamie County Conservation is developing plans for expanding four-season recreation opportunities at Mt. Crescent Ski Area, and we want to hear from you! Swing by Arrowhead Park on Friday, October 6th, anytime between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to learn more about development options at Mt. Crescent and share your ideas for what you'd like to see. Complimentary drinks and snacks will be provided. Unable to make it out on the 6th? Swing by our annual Chili Fest on October 14th to learn more and share your ideas then.
Pottawattamie County Conservation is developing plans for expanding four-season recreation opportunities at Mt. Crescent Ski Area, and we want to hear from you! Swing by Mt. Crescent Ski Area on Saturday, October 7th anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to learn more about development options at Mt. Crescent and share your ideas for what you'd like to see. Bring the entire family and enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, s'mores, bonfires, and more.
Join us for the Treynor City-Wide Garage Sale! There will be tons of items to shop for all. Maps will be placed at Casey's, Dollar General & Post Office, marking the garage sale locations.
Join us for the 15th annual Walnut fall antique show on October 7&8 in Walnut, Iowas Antique City. We're located halfway between Omaha and Des Moines on I-80 exit 46. Dealers from across the Midwest are displaying their wares both inside and outdoors! Antiques, stoneware, furniture, advertising, and primitives. Sponsored by the Walnut Merchants Association and Crockery & More 712-784-2626. All roads lead to Walnut where parking is everywhere.
Welcome to Hitchcock Hike for Health Club, led by level three fitness instructor and avid mountain climber, snowshoer, hiker, and master gardener Colleen Leinen! Hitchcock Hike for Health Club is designed for visitors ages 50+. This event is free but pre-registration is required. Grab your partner or a group of friends and join us first for some light stretching and education on equipment and preparation in the Loess Hills Lodge Goldfinch Room, then hit the hilly Loess Hills trails for a guided fitness hike. If you are looking to get in tune with your body, work up a sweat, and engage with the outdoors, then this is the club for you (especially if you have a big hike or camping trip coming up!). Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate hiking shoes or boots. Make sure to bring a reusable water container and walking poles if you prefer them.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
Wine yoga is a unique and playful combination of yoga and wine tasting. It typically involves practicing yoga poses while sipping wine in a relaxed and social setting. Appropriate for all fitness levels & yoga experience. $10 per participant
Welcome to the 18th Annual HawkWatch 5K Walk/Run! Grab your running or walking shoes and join us at Hitchcock Nature Center on Saturday, October 14th. Proceeds support Pottawattamie Conservation's efforts to preserve habitat in the county and offer low-impact recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy. The run/walk will utilize Hitchcock Nature Center's trail system. Race time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Registration: Now through September 30th: $30. October 1st to 14th: $35 *Online registration closes at 6 PM on 10/13/23
This year's annual All Hallows Eve Festival at Botna Bend promises fun for the entire family, including hayrack rides, crafts, hot dogs, chili, storytime, and trick or treating! The public is invited to participate in fun fall activities hosted by Botna Bend Park staff and campers. Registered campers will be entered to receive prices for the best-decorated campsite and may also enter into the park's annual chili cookoff to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prizes.
Public Events Details: A $3 per vehicle entry fee or Pottawattamie Conservation membership is required to enter the park if you are not camping. Free will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. All events will take place at Olsen Lodge.
Bring the whole family out and enjoy a warm bowl of chili in the crisp fall air at the Arrowhead Park Chili Fest. This annual fall tradition will be on Saturday, October 14th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and promises fun for the whole family! Join us for pumpkin painting, hayrack rides, trick or treating, and of course, chili. Pre-registration is not required for this event. Dinner is free but free-will donations will be gratefully accepted & used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. For questions not answered online please call Arrowhead Park at 712-485-2295. This event is weather permitting. Please meet at Breezy Lodge. Participants must purchase a $3.00 per vehicle daily pass with exact change or check at the front gate paybox, or have a valid Pottawattamie Conservation Membership to enter the park.
Join us at Mt. Crescent Ski Area on Tuesday, October 17th for the final hike of our 2023 Hitch Hike series! This hike will begin at 6:00 p.m. and explore a new trail system at the 106-acre Mt. Crescent Ski Area that will be accessible to the public in June 2023. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. Participants must bring $5 cash (exact change) or a check payable to Pottawattamie Conservation and give it to staff when they arrive or have a valid Pottawattamie Conservation Membership. Click here to purchase a Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation park membership. Weather permitting. Please meet us in the Mt. Crescent Ski Area parking lot near the lodge. Pets: Well-behaved dogs are permitted to accompany their owners but must be leashed at all times.
This presentation delves into the profound and enduring role that birds have played in shaping conservation efforts throughout American history. From the pioneering work of famous naturalists like Audubon and Leopold to the forefront of legislative initiatives aimed at protecting wildlife, birds have been a driving force behind the preservation of our natural heritage. Through the lens of these iconic figures and pivotal moments in history, we'll explore how birds have not only captured our fascination but have also been instrumental in catalyzing the environmental awareness and legislation necessary to safeguard our nation's diverse ecosystems and wildlife. $10 per person. Presented by Nic Salick.
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John features the greatest hits of the piano-rock pop icons of the modern era. Songs include Piano Man, Rocket Man, Bennie and the Jets, Movin’ Out, I’m Still Standing, My Life, and many more. PollStar ranked this show in the Top 50 touring Acts/Shows in the last two years. Michael Cavanaugh stars in this production. Billy Joel handpicked him to star in the hit Broadway musical Movin’ Out. Michael received both Tony and Grammy nominations in the lead role. Billboard calls him the “New Voice of the American Rock and Roll Songbook”. Broadway World referred to Cavanaugh as “The New Piano Man”. Reuters named Cavanaugh Entertainer of the Year.
The Underwood Music Boosters will be holding their Annual Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, October 21st, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Underwood High School. The Famous Cooking Walk will be starting at 9 a.m. There will be over 50 crafters and vendors with great items to choose from, including crocheted hats, custom-designed clothing, wood items, jewelry, ornaments, blankets, quilts, and honey, to name a few! Free admission and parking are available. This event helps support all music programs at the Underwood Schools. If you are interested in being a vendor, please email, underwoodmusicboosters@gmail.com
The Taco Ride takes place every Thursday evening on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Mineola, Iowa, and back. The scenic ride is about 20 miles through the Loess Hills and ends with dinner at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. The weekly rides take place from when the trail is dry enough in the spring (usually in April or May) until late in the fall (usually until Halloween).
Most riders start at Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park where parking is available. Slightly more than halfway between the trailhead and Tobey Jack's, many riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for a quick break and to join in a conversation with fellow bikers or to partake in refreshments they brought with them.
Note: The Taco Ride is a weekly event. It runs every Thursday evening during most of the year, weather permitting. Visit the Taco Ride website, linked below, for event news. For more information about the ride, visit our blog.
You'll see the changing forest in a whole new light after this Halloween hike! Take part and examine how folklore can deepen your relationship with the forest and prairie. Learn about the plant, animal, and mineral communities of the Loess Hills and their significance in the seasonal folklore associated with Halloween. If time allows, we'll return to the lodge for a demonstration of some of the items and techniques discussed on the hike.
Online pre-registration is required.
Have a "howling" good time at Hitchcock Nature Center during our annual Hitchcock Haunted Hollow treasure hunt! This all-ages program is the perfect way to get outdoors, learn something new about the natural world, and explore autumn in Iowa's Loess Hills. $5 per person. Free for kids ages 3 and under. Swing by the Loess Hills Lodge between 11:00 and 2:00 p.m. to grab your spooky trail map with clues, then hit the trails to see if you can find the answers and return victorious. Don't forget to swing back by the lodge before it closes to grab your prize when you're done! Costumes are welcome! Event details: - Online pre-registration is required as supplies are limited. - Cost is $5.00 per person for those ages 4+ and includes park admission. Children ages 3 and under are free and do not need a reservation. - Strollers are not permitted unless you are on Boardwalk trail or in a parking area. - Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge to pick up your spooky treasure map.
Community members and organizations will provide Halloween treats for children on Main St. in Oakland. Come by for some family-fun!
In honor of National Bison Day, come visit our bison herd out at Botna Bend Park and learn more about this magnificent species and the conservation efforts that help protect them. Swing by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for fun, family-friendly activities, including:
- Botna Bend’s live bison herd
- Atlatl throwing
- Bison wool spinning
- Hay rack rides
- Bison artifacts
- Food
- Crafts
- Flint knapping
- Fossil finding demonstration
- Learn how to search for and find fossils
- Learn about the symbiotic relationship between bison and the prairie
- Video presentations on the Joy Creek Major archaeological site & Coralville Lake's Devonian Fossil Gorge
This event is free with a $3/vehicle park entry fee or an annual permit and will be held rain or shine. We'll see you there!
The Palace Event Center is hosting its annual fall craft show. Admission is free, and J's Coffee truck will be on site. Come join us for a day of shopping! For a full list of vendors, visit our Facebook page.
Event image photo was taken by Bailey Buschelman Photography
Sponsored by HOKA, HitchSOCKS is a give-back event supporting the Open Door Mission through much-needed sock, underwear, and running shoe donations. Bring new men's or women's socks, new men's or women's underwear, or gently used running shoes to donate to the Open Door Mission and enjoy guided hiking and running park tours. In addition: HOKA will have trail running and hiking shoes for you to demo that morning on the trails. Peak Challenge will be giving away two annual Pottawattamie Conservation park passes. HOKA will raffle off some cool HOKA items. Please meet at the new shelter by the front entrance of the park. Free for annual members or with $5/vehicle park entry for non-members. Can't make it but want to give back? Drop off your donations at King of Kings Church (11615 I Street) or Fleet Feet Legacy (17660 Wright Street) in Omaha.
The bride to bride fleamarket offers an opportunity for all to find a great deal on any new or used wedding items. You can find florals, table, decor, backdrops, signs, and more. If you would like to sell, it is $15 per table to set up shop. You pay at the door the day of the event. Contact Lisakerkman@yahoo.com to reserve your space. Admission is free.
Event image photo was taken by Bailey Buschelman Photography
As the last of the leaves fall and the summer plants dry to brown and gold, let's hike the hills and valleys while engaging in contemplative acknowledgment of the shifting of the season. We'll talk about the bounty of the year past and discuss techniques for keeping attuned to the living world throughout the winter months. Online pre-registration is required.
The beloved Church Basement Ladies open the holiday season with a revival of this popular musical comedy. “Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas” takes us back to 1959 and the day of the Sunday School Christmas program. In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies in their witty, down-to-earth style are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present. As the children rehearse up in the sanctuary, several of the ladies of the kitchen are finishing up the treat bags filled with apples, peanuts, and ribbon candy while the others put the final touches on the nativity pieces. As they mend old bathrobe costumes, discuss the politics of who’s going to play the various roles, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them. Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day!
The Petersens are an award-winning family band performing American roots music which is uplifting and brings people closer together. Their Arts Center debut in 2022 was a runaway success and now they return with their extremely popular Christmas show. The band is known for their tight vocal harmonies, instrumental prowess and warm sibling humor. Now in their 13th season of shows in Branson, MO, the band earned TripAdvisor’s rank of #1 show in Branson in 2019 and 2020. The band includes the four Petersen siblings: fiddler Katie, banjo player Ellen (an American Idol top 48 finalist), guitarist Matt, and mandolinist Julianne, their mother Karen on bass, and dobroist Emmett Franz. This is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.
Join an enthusiastic group of walkers and seasonal revelers as we hike out Fox Run Ridge to celebrate the longest night and the return of the Sun. At the cliff's edge, there will be a small celebratory ceremony to welcome in the new year. This event is free with a $5/vehicle entry fee or park membership and pre-registration is not required. Ages 16+. Led by Dustin Clayton.
Country Music Hall of Famer, five-time Grammy-winner, and AMA Lifetime Achievement honoree Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives visit the Arts Center for the first time. Born and raised in Philadelphia, MS, Stuart got his start in bluegrass legend Lester Flatt’s band at the tender age of thirteen, and by twenty-one, he was working in the studio and on the road with Johnny Cash. Though Stuart built his early reputation backing up country royalty, it wasn’t long before Nashville recognized him as a star in his own right, and over the course of forty-plus years as a solo artist, he would go on to release more than twenty major label albums, scoring platinum sales, hit singles, and just about every honor the industry could bestow along the way. His first new album in five years, Altitude, explores a cosmic country landscape populated by dreamers and drifters, misfits and angels, honky-tonk heroes and lonesome lovers.
The Texas Tenors are the most successful music group and third highest-selling artist in the history of America's Got Talent! Since appearing on the series in 2009, JC, Marcus, and John have released five studio albums, 2 PBS Specials, 4 DVDs, multiple singles, and a children's book that have earned them impressive recognition, including 3 Emmy Awards, The Gelett Burgess Award for Excellence in Children's Literature and the distinction of being Billboard Magazine's #10 Classical Artist in the World. The tenors' most recent albums "Outside the Lines", "Rise" and "A Collection of Broadway and American Classics" all debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts. These classically trained, versatile tenors have performed more than 1700 concerts around the world.
Forever Young is a fully staged musical that follows one unforgettable group of friends as they discover the greatest hits of all time! Set in a music-filled suburban basement, this unbelievable heartfelt true story is guaranteed to take you back to the first time you pushed play, tuned in, and set the needle down. Featuring songs by BillyJoel, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Huey Lewis & The News, Styx, Queen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn, The Black Crows, Bon Jovi, and many more. This multi-award-winning production is jam-packed with powerhouse vocals, dynamite choreography, and one sensational true story that is guaranteed to make you feel . . . Forever Young.
Welcome Spring with Michael Londra! Ireland with Michael LIVE is a multimedia experience that combines the music, dance, and stories of Ireland and features the ethereal voice of leading Irish tenor Michael Londra. The LIVE theatrical show builds on the overwhelming success of the Ireland with Michael travel and music series on PBS. Emmy award-nominated singer and the voice of Riverdance on Broadway, Michael Londra interlaces songs and stories of Ireland to a backdrop of spectacular footage filmed for his PBS show. In doing so, he creates an immersive journey around the Emerald Isle for his audience. Irish dancers, fiddles, and pipes add to the feast of Celtic talent on stage, drawing the audience across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland. This is a celebration of Irish culture and music.
