2023 Bentonsport Events
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Check back for updates and added events.
April 15 Bentonsport village shops open weekends. Dates and times open for all Bentonsport shops are listed on "Places to Shop." May 1 Shops maintain weekly hours thru October. Below left is the days and hours each shop is open. May 24-26 Plein Air artists from around the Midwest will compete in "Paint Van Buren County Iowa." On Friday, the 26th, artists will create artworks in Bentonsport and Bonaparte until 3 p.m. Then from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., a "Quick Paint" competition occurs with works from that special effort will be for view and sale from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bentonsport Stone House. Event is sponsored by Van Buren County Art Council. May 27-28 Flea Market/Craft Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., outdoor flea market, crafts, antiques, food, music, and demonstrations. Call Van Buren Conservation at 319-293-3589 for information about this event. May 28 Memorial Day Observance Program Sunday, 6:30 p.m., historic Bentonsport Presbyterian Church. Milton American Legion Post 483 will present and retire the colors and perform Twenty-one Gun Salute on church lawn. Larry Shipley officiates. "If You're Reading This," sung by Tom Allen. A soldier's own words about fighting in the Civil War. Historic and popular patriotic songs, official songs of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, and popular patriotic songs, and Star Spangled Banner played by pianist Mindy Kralicek. June 4 thru Sept. 4 non-denominational church services are held in Historic Bentonsport Presbyterian Church at 9 a.m. Sundays. All invited to attend. June 23-25 Bentonsport Rendezvous reenactment of pre-1840s mountain men camp in Bentonsport Riverside Park. Enjoy their storytelling, games and activities. June 24 Bentonsport Heritage Day/Home and Garden Show 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Experience Bentonsport as it was in the 1850s. Historic homes, building and garden tour, historic characters, wagon rides, children’s games, live music, entertainers, shops’ gift basket drawing, pre-1840s mountain men camp in riverside park. Bentonsport’s shops will be open and special vendors will sell their wares. Enjoy the food trucks and the pie stand. Visit the vintage portrait studio and have your photo taken in 1850s-era clothing. Van Buren County Barn Tour takes place June 24 and 25. Combine the events for a weekend of history comes alive! Oct. 14-15 Bentonsport River Fest 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (part of Van Buren County's Scenic Drive Festival). Flea market, crafts, music, and artisan demonstrations. Tour History on the Move Museum, courtesy of the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Call Van Buren Conservation at 319-293-3589 for information about this event. Oct. 14-15 Annual Bentonsport Art Show featuring artists from IA, IL, and MO demonstrations and sales. Nov. 1 - Dec. 14 Shops reduce hours to weekends only, Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m. See schedule at left. Nov. 25 Shops open Black Friday and the rest of the weekend. Dec. 4 Bentonsport Christmas Enjoy holiday shopping, treats, door prize drawing. Dec. 23 Shops close for winter except Greef General Store/Addie May Fudge will continue to be open weekends. |
Heritage Day: June 24, 9-5Heritage Day 2023 - 9 am to 5 pmSTART AT STONE HOUSE. Vendors inside offer breakfast snacks and a soap-making demonstration. Visit Little Farm on Meadow for pastries, Heritage Baked Goods has pretzels and other treats from the past. Coffee and juice available.
The Heritage Host table will answer questions you have. Open House tickets can be purchased for $10 each, ages 14 and older. Those under 14 are free. The Stone House has two indoor spacious restrooms, and if the weather is hot, there is a "cooling" space for those who need a quick rest. For those with leashed pet dogs, dog water bowls and doggie poop bags are available at a couple of places in the riverside park. Dogs are not allowed inside of any Bentonsport building. SKILL DEMONSTRATIONS At Iron & Lace watch blacksmiths at work and rugs woven. Intermittently the potter will be at her wheel. Outside the original 1800's blacksmith shop, Ted Kralicek will demonstrate using a shaving horse and treadle lathe. (This is where you can board a wagon after 1 pm for the Open House tour.) Greg Cotton demonstrates spinning at the children's activity area. CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES Children can make clothespin dolls, plant a plant in pot, participate in the water balloon toss, and try the ball and cup trick in the quiet area behind the gazebo. ENTERTAINERS Mindy Kralicek plays 1850s songs on piano 9:30 – 10:30. Fiddler Tom Shadonix plays at the Greef General Store 11 - 2. Banjo player Joel Garretson from East Grove Farms will be at his vendor stand just north of Rose Garden. Dr. Aloysius Quacksham’s amazing elixir at 10, 12, and 2. Mayor George Green’s 10:20 announcement at gazebo More to be announced. THE MARKET VENDORS East Grove Farms offers test tasting and sales of Mead Moonsine Larry's BBQ sauce and antler dog treats Elizabeth Whitlock's jewelry Mary's Rope Bowls Cartwright's Creations include turned bowls, candle holders, cutting boards, and rolling pins, etc. Cedar Valley Wines will be at Sisters Vintage area. Vintage Self Portraits. Put on 1850s-ish clothing to wear for a photo of you/your friends/your family in historic Bentonsport. Our volunteers will take a picture with your camera or cell phone with the background of your choice. Children's, men's and women's clothing available in a range of sizes and styles. Good will donation appreciated but not requested. FOOD VENDORS Big Guys Barbecue (menu coming) The Kut (menu coming) Greg Trudell’s food trailer offers donuts in the a.m. and gourmet hot dogs for lunch next to the Odd Fellows Hall. BIA Pie Stand offers coffee, ice cream, pie and brownies for good will offering to help support Bentonsport Improvement Association projects. BUCKSKINNER RENDEZVOUS Located east of the historic pedestrian bridge. Watch tomahawk and knife throw, primitive bow shoot, trader displays, and era camping. HOME AND GARDEN SHOW - 1 pm to 5 pm Wagon Route starts at the old blacksmith building. Stops at Albert Bigelow House, Bentonsport Academy, Capt. Frederick Hancock House and/or Presbyterian church, and Herman Greef House. Last wagon tour starts at 4 p.m. To visit the Vernon School House, walk cross the pedestrian bridge or drive there. John Wesley Burton House Gardens and Whitaker Garden are accessible by vehicles. Download the Heritage Day vendor application and information
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