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Art on the Square
One of Iowa's longest running and most successful art shows. The historic city square and bandstand provide the atmosphere for as many as 70 exhibitors and thousands of spectators. This juried event, sponsored by Main Street Oskaloosa, is held annually on the second Saturday in June. Local and nationally known artists exhibit and sell all forms of art!
Lighted Christmas Parade
Clow Train Voted the #1 Holiday Event in the State of Iowa by Main Street Iowa, this unique Christmas Parade is a spectacular event and shouldn't be missed. Lighted parade entries travel through the historic downtown area which includes our famous bandstand, also lit up for the occasion! This magnificent annual event, held on the Thursday and Friday following the Thanksgiving holiday, draws as many as 10,000 visitors to Oskaloosa.
You won't want to miss this great event which has NEVER been cancelled because of weather. The lighted parade is held the Thursday and Friday nights following Thanksgiving. Thousands of lights adorn the dozens of floats which parade around the city square; some floats are as large as a city block. (See the Calendar for dates & details.)
Mahaska County Farmers Market
The Farmers Market was started by the Ruritans, who are a local service organization, back on June 16th 1978 and has been running continuously since then. The original number of vendors was anywhere from 6 to 20 and the vendors sold left over produce from the gardens they raised for themselves. The market has made some tremendous changes from when they first started setting up east of the American Legion located in Oskaloosa. Ten years ago the city council approved the request for the vendors to set up in the city park to be more centralized for their clientele. Oskaloosa is unique in which we have a bandstand located in our downtown area which includes a park that is the heart of our local businesses. By being able to set up in the city park the vendors can reach out to more customers.
The biggest change happened last year when our local Hy-Vee store partnered up and helped promote our Farmers Market. Not only do they advertise the Farmers Market in their weekly ads, but they give out promotional coupons, talk about us on the radio, purchase whatever products we have left over on Saturdays to sell in their store and much, much more. The vendors set up in the Hy-Vee parking lot on Saturday mornings from 8:00-11:00 am and set up on the northeast side of the city park on Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00 pm. Click on the link below to find out when the Farmers Market will begin this year!
http://www.hawkeye-re.com/farmersmarket/
Friday After Five
Friday After Five is a relatively new event held in the summer. The event is geared toward families who want to come to the city square to listen to local bands and enjoy food from designated local vendors After the 2007 Friday After Five season, FAF committee members gave about $10,000 in proceeds to local organizations.
Summer Concerts in the Bandstand
The Oskaloosa Municipal Band will be presenting its 136th consecutive season of performances at 8:00 p.m. every Thursday evening during the summer months. The historic bandstand and the city park come alive with music. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy!
Sweet Corn Serenade
This family festival features good food, numerous children's activities sponsored by area civic organizations, a wide variety of musical entertainers and a large craft show. Delicious sweet corn fresh cooked for only 25¢, Pork burgers, pie and ice cream are available for a small charge. This event also features corporate games, a pie baking contest, and a corn shucking contest just to name a few. This event alone typically brings over 5,000 patrons to downtown Oskaloosa.
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