The Clayton County Fair is August 1-6 in National, Iowa! Check out the live music, a movie night, exhibit halls, animals, tractor pulls, inflatables and mechanical bull ride, food, and more! The full schedule is available here.

You won’t want to miss the oldest and largest bluegrass festival in Iowa! Strawberry Point hosts the Backbone Bluegrass Festival July 27-29. The event includes blue grass, gospel, and old time country music, bluegrass workshops and an old time gospel church service on Sunday morning.

Backbone Bluegrass Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7aFKQ_lnnI

Mark your calendar for the Elkader Model Train show on Sunday, August 19, a family fun event for all ages to learn about trains and railroad history!

Elkader Model Train Showhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRaL9gNXfWc

Art in the Park Fine Art Festival in Elkader features professional artists, live music, great food, and more on August 18-19 in Founders Park!

Art in the Park 2018https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bto9Jq1kDc

Mark your calendars for Motor Mill’s second annual art show on Saturday, September 15th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm! Everyone is invited to either display or sell their artwork inspired by Motor Mill and Northeast Iowa. Throughout the show visitors can enjoy food, free tours, mini art classes, live music, and activities for all ages.
Artists who wish to participate in the show must contact us by phone or by email before 4:00pm on the August 27th deadline. This includes anyone who wants to either sell their artwork or simply display. Do you have a one-of-a-kind piece of Motor Mill art hanging on your wall? We especially welcome people to register and display original Motor Mill-inspired artwork.
For more information on this and other events call 563-245-1516, visit www.motormill.org, or email aharkrader@claytoncountyia.gov.

Friday, July 20th, 10 am-11 am, reservations required
Nature Kids is for children 3-5 years who want to learn about the natural world around them through stories, crafts, and outdoor exploring at Osborne Park. The July theme will be a nature scavenger hunt.
Kids may get dirty with activities in and around Osborne Park. Play clothes, sunscreen, water bottles and bug spray are recommended. A shelter house has been reserved for the afternoon for anyone that would like to stay and have a picnic.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Siblings are welcome to join. Please call the Osborne Nature Center at 563-245-1516 for more information and to pre-register.
Osborne Park is located on HWY 13 five miles south of Elkader. For more information on events call 563-245-1516 or visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org.

For more information on upcoming Clayton County events, visit our calendar.

Young Conservationist Field Days – July 7th, 14th, & 21st 9:00 AM at Osborne Nature Center. Reservations required.
Do you know a budding young conservationist aged 13-18 interested in the art and science of land management? Consider Clayton County Conservation’s Young Conservationist program! This year’s projects will take place at the Motor Mill Historic site, where young conservationists will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using hand tools and doing real ecological restoration, while also learning the science behind the decisions that improve the health of public land. Parents are welcome to accompany their child if they’d like to work too! Participants will depart from the Osborne Nature Center via 15 passenger van at 9:00 AM, returning at 1:00 PM on three consecutive Saturdays starting July 7th. They may join all three sessions, or just pick a Saturday that suits their schedule. Each session will include a lesson on restoration science & safe tool use, as well as work time and a lunch break. Gloves and safety equipment will be provided; participants should wear comfy work clothes and sturdy shoes. Participants should also bring a sack lunch and water bottle. To sign up call the Osborne Nature Center at 563-245-1516, or email KSlocum@claytoncountyia.gov.
The Osborne Nature Center is located 4 miles south of Elkader, IA on Hwy 13. For more information, contact Clayton County Conservation at 563-245-1516, visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org, or LIKE us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/claytoncountyconservation.

On Saturday, August 25 be a part of breaking the Guinness World Record of most trucks in a parade!
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Volga City Truck Cruise!
 
https://www.claytoncountyiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Volga_City_Truck_2018.mp4

Reiki Practitioner Certified 1 and 2 Usui Holy Fire Betty Pierce opens new business, Be Reiki, in Guttenberg at Riverside Wellness Center, 222 S. River Park Drive. Pierce offers in home service for shut ins along with service at the Riverside Wellness Center. Pierce also offers small group Reiki, large group workshops, and more. Call 563-599-3007 for more information.