Events

Hydrant Party!

Old-fashioned summer fun! The Council Bluffs Fire Department hosts hydrant parties on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. throughout the summer at various locations. 

A special thanks to Council Bluffs Water Works for providing the water and thanks to Centris Federal Credit Union for giving out frozen treats. 

Farmers Market Council Bluffs

Come check out Farmers Market Council Bluffs, now in its 12th season! Located in Bayliss Park, the farmers market showcases both seasonal and weekly vendors every Thursday evening. The farmers market also includes wellness activities and live music. Have kids? Not a problem! Along with plenty to do for the adults, there is a play space to entertain the kids, sponsored by Centris Federal Credit Union.

Taco Ride

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. 

Guitar Concert at Bayliss Park with Rupert Wates

Join us at Bayliss Park for an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. Rupert Wates was born in London and attended Oxford University. Since moving to the U.S. in 2016, he has won more than 40 songwriting and performing awards, and was a finalist in the Great American Song Contest in 2018. This program is free and open to the public and has been made possible with help from the Council Bluffs Public Library Foundation. In case of inclement weather, this program will be held at the library.

Music Bingo

Come join us for Music Bingo! Prizes for winners! What is Music Bingo you say? Music bingo is a fun and exciting take on the classic game of bingo. With songs replacing the numbers on a bingo card. After receiving a card from your favorite emcee, Jake Ryan, music will play, and if you have that song listed on your card, you tick it off. And then follow the rules like bingo!

Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

July's Little Tike Hike at Botna Bend Park will take place along Wildflower Glen trail throughout the month. As you enjoy the sights & sounds along the trail you will spot activities posted along your route that are designed to help learners ages 3 to 5 experience nature in a new way. While it is designed for young learners, any age can learn something new and have fun, too! Activities are posted along a .25 to .3 mile stretch of the trail for your enjoyment. This is an "out & back" hike, once you reach the end of the trail you turn around & head back to the trailhead, making a .5 to .6 mile round-trip hike. Of course, if you are having fun you can choose to continue on & enjoy more of the beautiful trails without posted activities. Signs will be posted to help you find your way.

Friday at 5 Tour: Time & Telegraphs: Texting in the 19th Century

The original instant messenger, the telegraph changed the way we communicate over long distances and was crucial to the expansion of the railroad. Join us on a tour of the museum and discover how the telegram killed the Pony Express and which US President was known to sometimes sleep in the telegraph office. On select Fridays at 5pm, meet us at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs for a special tour of the museum featuring histories you won't find on the walls. Tickets are $5 per person!

Live Music with The Dualtones

The Dualtones are Fred Schwery on electric guitar with Dan Klepke on harmonica and flute. They come together to create a unique sound, as they perform a mixture of blues and classic rock.

Friday Glow Night

This is a great night for families! Come down together and enjoy our Friday nights as we transform The Hub into a night of cosmic fun! The lights will go down, the music will go up, and we will fire up lasers, black-lights, disco balls, and more. This event includes open jump, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball, games, and giveaways! All ages welcome! From 8:00- 10:30pm!

Stir Concert Cove Presents: Tesla and Warrant

Tesla may have been born in the mid-80s eruption of leather, spandex, and big hair, but they were always about one thing - 1970s rock and roll - and they're still soaring and roaring! 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of one of Tesla's most iconic albums, Five Man Acoustical Jam, and the upcoming tour will feature performances of the most seminal tracks from this ground-breaking acoustic record. 

Visit our blog for the Stir Concert Cove 2022 season lineup! 

Lake Manawa Fireworks

Council Bluffs, Iowa’s 4th of July Celebration, your local fireworks display celebrating Independence Day is put together by a non-profit made up of local volunteers. Lake Manawa Fireworks is proud to host the celebration of our nation’s independence day. Council Bluffs looks forward to this beautiful celebration every summer! Whether you enjoy the fireworks from the water or the shoreline of our beautiful lake, we know you’ll feel the pride we have for our city and country!

Little Tike Hike | Hitchcock Nature Center

July's Little Tike Hike at Hitchcock Nature Center will take place along Blazing Star Trail from Saturday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 10th. This Tike Hike will start at the Badger Ridge trailhead. As you enjoy the sights & sounds along the trail you will spot activities posted along your route that are designed to help learners ages 3 to 5 experience nature in a new way. While it is designed for young learners, any age can learn something new and have fun, too! Activities are posted along a .25 to .3 mile stretch of the trail for your enjoyment. This is an "out & back" hike, once you reach the end of the trail you turn around & head back to the trailhead, making a .5 to .6 mile round-trip hike. Of course, if you are having fun you can choose to continue on & enjoy more of the beautiful trails without posted activities. Signs will be posted to help you find your way.

Fireworks Spectacular/Family Fun "We Love America" at the Fair

Local citizens of Free Speech America offer a wonderful 'We Love America Night' at Westfair in Council Bluffs on Saturday, July 2! This family-friendly event is free to the public. There will be food trucks, inflatables, face painting, balloon creations, live music by the amazing band Nebraska Showdown, and a spectacular firework show for the grand finale. Bring a lawn chair or blankets and all of your family and friends! This is not an evening you want to miss!

Food trucks: Zaltes Ice Cream, Ohana Shaved Ice, BBQ Brothers, KGB foods, Load Star Pizza, Pim’s Thai, High Voltage BBQ, Johnny Ricco’s Brooklyn Pizza, Juanito’s Taco Truck, Wonton’s Jon’s, AG&G Concessions, and Taqueria Santa Anita.

This event is hosted by Free Speech America (freespeechamerica.org). It is made possible through community-wide sponsorships. If you wish to help defray costs, a free-will donation can be made at the event. For more information message us on the Free Speech America Facebook page.

Oakland Independence Day Celebration

Oakland's Independence Day Celebration will take place on July 3rd and 4th. On July 3rd, Oakland Riverside Golf Course will host a golf tournament, there will be church services in the park, and PEO's 8th annual Whadda Ya Know? Trivia Night will be at 7:00 pm at the Community Building. On July 4th activities begin at 7 am with the Fire Department pancake breakfast. There will be a car show, live music, 30+ booths with food and shopping, a bbq showcase, kickball tournament, beer garden, parade at 5:00 pm, more live music, and a pie-eating contest before the fireworks display at dusk. Find the flyer with all of the details on the City of Oakland, Iowa Facebook page or website.

Independence Day Free Community Event

Everyone is invited to this free event! The Dodge House will be supplying free hamburgers hotdogs, chips, and water. We'll also have a Kona Ice truck. You can enjoy this refreshing treat for only $1 per cup. You'll enjoy amazing old-time music (provided by Flatwater Drifters), readings from the Declaration of Independence, drawings, and more!

City of Avoca Fireworks Display

The City of Avoca's annual fireworks display will be held after dusk on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Fireworks will be visible from CountryView Clubhouse, Edgington Memorial Park, and many places throughout the city.

City of Avoca Fourth of July Celebrations

Join Avocans celebrating Independence Day with multiple events up and down the community's Main Street!

• 9 am-1 pm: Car Show on South Elm, hot dogs by Raddberry's Bakery & Cafe.
• 11 am: Kids tractor pull in front of Courthouse, sponsored by Titan Machinery (register kids to participate at 10:30)
• 11 am: United Church of Avoca food tent opens
• 11 am-1:30 pm: Boy Scouts ice cream fundraiser at Avoca Legion
• 11 am: Register floats at East Pott Fairgrounds
• 1:30 pm: Icicles in front of veterans plaza, sponsored by Pauley-Jones Funeral Home
• 2 pm: Founding Fathers Parade begins

IWCC Youth Summer Camp CAD, Copters, and Circuits

CAD, Copters and Circuits: For 6th - 8th Graders, come enjoy a day of hands-on activities constructing electrical circuits, experimenting with helicopters together with the utilization of CAD software from the Design Technology Program. Participants will be able to design a souvenir that will be 3D printed.

Hydrant Party!

Old-fashioned summer fun! The Council Bluffs Fire Department hosts hydrant parties on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. throughout the summer at various locations. 

A special thanks to Council Bluffs Water Works for providing the water and thanks to Centris Federal Credit Union for giving out frozen treats. 

Adult Board Game Night

Adult Board Game Night - bring a friend!

Come play new and classic board and card games. This group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, and it is free to attend. You are welcome to bring your favorite games or just stop in to join a game.