Events And Activities

Blood Drive Monday, July 18, 1-6 p.m.

A blood drive will be held on Monday, July 18, at the Vinton Shellsburg High School from 1-6 p.m. Take a few minutes out of your day, and make a donation if possible! If enough donations are received the Health Careers class has a potential to receive scholarships from the American Red Cross.

'Night of Destruction' to feature trailer races, other unique events

The Night of Destruction will again include the popular trailer races. One of the more popular and unusual events of the year takes place tonight at the Benton County Fair: The Night of Destruction.  The event includes the crowd-pleasing trailer races; despite its name, the event is actually a demolition derby in which drivers begin with a vehicle towing a trailer and drive around the track attempting to separate the other drivers' vehicles from their trailers.

LPC FFA Museum to host quilter, June 21

Quilter Sheri Lesh will speak at the FFA Museum in LPC, July 21. The La Porte City FFA Historical and Ag Museum will host Sheri Lesh, author of creative blog spot, 4 and Fifteen, (4andfifteen.blogspot.com) on Thursday, July 21st from 6:30-8pm. Lesh will talk about how learning to sew in fifth grade translated into a passion for quilting. She will also focus on how the quilting world has changed with the advancement of new technologies and the current resurgence in quilting.

Fair begins Wednesday

The Benton County Fair begins on Wednesday, as youngsters from all over the county will bring a variety of projects for judges to evaluate, hoping that theirs will be among the many chosen to advance to the Iowa State Fair.  The daily schedule this year is similar to that of other years, although the event takes place one week earlier than usual because of scheduling conflicts with the company providing carnival rides and games.

Farm Bureau is bringing the heat to the Benton County Fair

The 9th Annual Benton County Farm Bureau Cookout Contest is set for Saturday July 16 at the fairgrounds in Vinton.  This will be in conjunction with the Benton County Fair activities.  There is no cost to enter the contest, although pre-registration is requested.  Interested grillers are asked to call the Benton County Farm Bureau office at (319) 472-4710 or e-mail benton.

PEO MZ to meet July 11; members to carpool to Strawberry Point

PEO Chapter MZ will meet to carpool to Strawberry Point at 8:15 A.M. on Monday, July 11. 

Kid's Night Thursday, July 7th, 5-7 p.m. at Vinton Farmers Market

This Thursday July 7th from 5-7 PM will be Kid’s Night at the Vinton Farmers Market. We will be debuting our new Cucumber/Vegetable races where kids will be able to make and decorate their own race cars from veggies...and then race them against others! We will also have our first ever Ugly/Weird/Goofy-Looking Vegetable (or fruit) Contest so if you think you’ve got a potential candidate for this competition, bring it on by the Vinton Railroad Depot by 5:15 PM.

Rentable Yurts Open House at Rodgers Park July 2

To celebrate 60 years in conservation as well as the completion of our two yurts at Rodgers Park, Benton County Conservation is having an open house on Saturday, July 2nd, from 1-4 p.m. Light refreshments will be available and the public can tour Benton County Conservation’s newest amenities. The staff has been working hard to get these rentable yurts ready for this camping season and they would like the public to get a chance to view the results of their hard work.

CSI: Christian Summer Institute to kick off the 2nd Year of Summer Learning

After a HUGE success last year, Blessed Hope is excited to offer the Christ-focused educational program CSI: Vinton! Christian Summer Institute (CSI) is OPEN TO ALL children entering 1st-5th grade. Kids will receive 100% hands-on lessons in reading, math, science, HIStory, and interpersonal skills. They will also be able to create a meaningful craft DAILY.

Elvis party at CP Piano Party was success; program on 1961 tornado set for July

It don’t get no better than Elvis actually appearing at your party, so the Center Point Historical Society’s June 5 Player Piano Party was its best ever.  About 50 guests visited the Depot Museum to be in the presence of the King, to look at the All Iowa Mustang Club’s classy cars in the parking lot and to view the Museum’s new “Fifties & Sixties” displays.