This week is National Travel and Tourism Week and in the #SpiritOfTravel, we are celebrating the memories we’ve made with you over the years! We can’t wait to make new ones with you, but for the time being, let’s take a trip down memory lane at some of Council Bluffs’ most popular events that are loved by locals and visitors alike.
Celebrate CB
Did you know that Celebrate CB is the longest standing community event in Council Bluffs and brings over 10,000 attendees each year? This well-known community event commemorates the pride that Council Bluffs residents have in their community. Many attendees travel to this event to visit their friends, relatives, and their hometown!
Railroad Days
Railroad Days is an annual celebration of all things train and track in Council Bluffs and Omaha. Five sites in the two cities collaborate for a full two days of railroad fun! The sites include the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Historic General Dodge House, and RailsWest Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs along with Lauritzen Gardens and The Durham Museum in Omaha.
Stir Concert Cove
The Stir Concert Cove Series brings the area’s best entertainment to Harrah’s Council Bluffs. The outdoor venue space is full throughout the summer with concerts by well-known and up-and-coming artists. Past performers include AJR, Diana Ross, Train, Kesha, and many more!
Bikes on the 100 Block
Bikes on the 100 Block is produced by Edwards Motorsports and the 100 Block Committee. This full-throttle event is a family-friendly event that is open to the public. There are vendors, food, beverages, and most importantly live entertainment! The block is shut down and over 500 motorcycles park and enjoy an evening on the Historic 100 Block.
Halloween Havoc
Halloween Havoc is a festive soccer tournament that takes place in Council Bluffs annually and is organized by the Council Bluffs Soccer Club. This event brings over 180 youth soccer teams from across the Midwest to compete at the Council Bluffs Recreation Complex!
OMA Tourism Awards
The Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau teams up with Visit Omaha and Sarpy County Tourism to celebrate and honor tourism’s front-line employees. The awards honor those in the hotel, restaurant/catering, attractions, and retail industries that make the Omaha Metropolitan Area a great tourism destination!
CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship
The U.S. Open has over 700 teams ranging from elementary to high school ages and brings attendants from all over the United States and other parts of the world to Council Bluffs. The competition has teams work together as they have robots perform different tasks for points. The purpose of this massive event is to get more students involved in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math).
Wrestling Competitions
Council Bluffs is the home of several well-known wrestling tournaments that bring many visitors to the area. The NJCAA Wrestling Championship has been held every year at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs since the 2015-16 season and brings many teams from far beyond Iowa. The Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic is also held annually at the Mid-America Center and it brings 41 teams together to compete. The Heartland USA Elementary, Middle School, and Girls National Duals is also a well-known tournament that takes place in CB.
Did you know that travelers spent more than 334 million dollars in Pottawattamie County in 2018 according to the US Travel Association? Visitors serve as new customers for local businesses and new taxpayers for local government benefiting all local residents!
