After a 17 year hiatus, the Great River Road – Road Race is back! Saturday, October 5, 2019, 8:30am at Pikes Peak State Park 5k-10k and Kids’ Fun Run Register here. No registration necessary for the Kids’ Fun Run. Visit Facebook for more information or email greatriverroadroadrace@gmail.com, or contact the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce at 563.873.2186. This moderately difficult out and back 5 K and 10 K race will begin at Pikes Peak State Park, follow Pikes Peak Road, then head south on the Great River Road. After the race, participants can enjoy our traditional GRRRR Breakfast of pancakes with chicken gravy. If chicken gravy is not to your liking butter and syrup will also be available. Tickets for family and friends will be available to purchase the day of the race. Spend the rest of the day exploring Pikes Peak State Park one of the most photographed places in Iowa and the Ports of Discovery communities of McGregor and Marquette. Proceeds from the race will benefit two local nonprofit agencies, the Friends of Pikes Peak State Park and the McGregor Marquette Chamber of Commerce.

Mark your calendar for the Backbone Bluegrass Festival in Strawberry Point, July 26-28! Enjoy lots of music, food, workshops, and drawings! Visit BackboneBluegrass.com for more information.

Nature’s STEAM Wednesday, August 7th, 9:00am-3:00pm Motor Mill Historic Site Registration Required Join Clayton County Conservation at Motor Mill on August 7th from 9:00am-3:00pm for a fun filled day of science experiments, history, and much more. Explore historic Motor Mill as we discover the connections between science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art with nature. This free day camp is open to ages 6-12 year olds, by the end of the day they all will be masters of STEAM. Children joining us on August 7th should be dropped off at 9:00am at Motor Mill Historic Site, 23002 Grain Road-Elkader, Iowa. Going south on Hwy 13, take X3C (Grandview Road) east about 3.5 miles; turn left on gravel Hazel Road and immediately take a hard left on Galaxy Road. Then drive 1.5 Miles to Motor Mill. Turn right after the bridge to proceed to Registration located at the campground. Bring your own sack lunch and favorite water bottle, we will have plenty of access to water! Please call 563-245-1516 to sign up! For more information on this and other events call 563-245-1516 or visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org or www.motormill.org.  

The Left Bank Shop & Gallery presents Water Under the Bridge. Opening reception: Friday, July 19, 6-8pm with refreshments and live music by Big Blue Sky Band. Artist introductions will be at 6:30pm. The exhibit features work from local artists inspired by the theme “Water Under the Bridge” and will be displayed through September 9.

The 6th annual River of Music Concert Series begins on Friday, June 7 and continues on Friday nights from 6-8pm in Ingleside Park through August 9, along the Mississippi River in Guttenberg. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and picnic (no glass bottles, please) and enjoy FREE live music from local musicians. Rain location is Lakeside Ballroom, 1202 N. 4th St., Guttenberg (note exceptions marked with an asterisk below). See the schedule below for the listing of musicians: June 7: Triple Threat, sponsored by Guttenberg Industries June 14: German Band, sponsored by Guttenberg Municipal Hospital June 21: The Side Project, sponsored by Kann Manufacturing June 28: Friends of Backbone Bluegrass with the Anderegg Family, sponsored by Kluesner Sanitation July 5: Uncle Sam’s Band, sponsored by Peoples State Bank, 6-9pm July 12*: The Steve Moser Family, sponsored by Fidelity Bank and Trust July 19: Backwater, sponsored by Dr, Maggie Kramer, DDS July 26: The Sounds of Nashville, sponsored by Brown’s Sales & Leasing August 2*: Rocktide, in memory of Dixie Zehr August 9: Pizzin’ in the Wind, sponsored by Dr. Michele and Steve Dikkers *Rain location: third floor of Municipal Building, 502 S. 1st St., Guttenberg Visit Facebook for more information.

Pitch a tent and take a break with fellow farmers! Bring your favorite grilling foods, potluck sides, breakfast ingredients, and river snacks. Grilling potluck and a bonfire on Saturday, shared breakfast Sunday. Optional chicken butchering workshop in the morning, followed by kayaking and canoeing the Turkey River and returning to enjoy lunch. A guest house with beds is available and its use is encouraged! Catch Elkader’s Art in the Park! Campout commences: Saturday, August 17, 4:30pm Chicken Roast and Farmer Float: Sunday, August 18, 8am-2pm Turkey River Farm, 23719 Hazel Road, Elkport, $15.00/person. RSVP To Kayla Koether: 563.568.6345, kother@iastate.edu

Featuring Barbershop Music by Keystone Chorus, Comedy by The Elkader Opera House Players, and Food by Volga City Opera House… this is the first Dinner & Show performance in the Volga City Opera House since the flood of 1999. Thank you Keystone Chorus and Elkader Opera House players for your generosity in supporting the ongoing renovation of the 1914 Volga City Opera House. Visit Facebook for more information. A Smile And A Song Poster

Art in the Park, August 17-18, Founders’ Park, Elkader Featuring art and artists, great food, live music, and free admission