Pilot Knob State Park - Trail Race
When: September
What: 15K race on the trails in the park. Contact the park office at 641-581-4835 for more
information.
Big Creek State Park - 16th Annual Fall Bike Ride
When: Saturday, September 6, 2008
What: 16th Annual Fall bike ride. 200+ riders start at Polk City, ride through Big Creek State Park,
crossing the countryside to Alleman, Slater, Ankeny and parts of Saylorville Lake, returning to Polk City to enjoy
festivities in town. Two routes are offered. The short route is 12 miles and stays on the bike trail to Big Creek
beach and back. The long route is approximately 40 miles and visits the areas listed above. For more information
contact the park office at 515-984-6473 or JoAnn Brunsvold at 515-984-9050.
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area - Hike with the Naturalist
When: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 2:30 pm (depending on the weather)
What:Meet at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center for a hike on the Nature Center Trails (1-1/2 mi).
Have you ever had questions about plants, birds or the history of the area while hiking in the Mines of Spain? Join the
Mines of Spain Naturalist for a guided hike! Please print off a map of the trails for locations of the hikes.
Elk Rock State Park - Friend's Group Appreciation Day
When: Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 10:00 am
What: Appreciation Day to include BBQ, Poker Run and kids riding games. Sponsored by the Friend's
of Elk Rock.
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area - Hike with the Naturalist
When: Saturday, September 13, 2008, 2:30 pm (depending on the weather)
What:Meet at the Horseshoe Bluff Interpretive Area's Parking lot for a hike on the Horseshoe Bluff Trail (2/3 mi).
Have you ever had questions about plants, birds or the history of the area while hiking in the Mines of Spain? Join the
Mines of Spain Naturalist for a guided hike! Please print off a map of the trails for locations of the hikes.
Big Creek State Park - Duathlon
When: Sunday, September 14, 2008
What: 5K running, 10 mile bike ride, and 5K run even through Big Creek State Park and surrounding Polk
county roads. For more information contat Lea McWilliams at 515-281-0002.
George Wyth State Park - Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk
When: Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 7:00 am
What: The walk, one mile or three miles, will start at the Josh Higgins Shelter. Contact Laura Kann at
319-272-2300 for additional information.
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area - Hike with the Naturalist
When: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 2:30 pm (depending on the weather)
What:Meet at the Catfish Creek canoe access for a hike on the Catfish Creek trail (2 mi).Have you ever had
questions about plants, birds or the history of the area while hiking in the Mines of Spain? Join the Mines of Spain
Naturalist for a guided hike! Please print off a map of the trails for locations of the hikes.
Fort Atkinson State Perserve - Rendezvous
When: Saturday, Sept 27, 2008 - 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Sunday, Sept 28, 2008 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
What: 32nd year of live display of what life was like in the 1840s when the fort was being
built and used. Trade blankets, food vendors, craft people and military actors portraying the 1840s
time period will demonstrate through displays, completing in contest and performing to educate the
public of line at this interesting place and time.
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area - Hike with the Naturalist
When: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 2:30 pm (depending on the weather)
What:Meet at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center for a hike on the Nature Center Trails (1-1/2 mi).
Have you ever had questions about plants, birds or the history of the area while hiking in the Mines of Spain? Join the
Mines of Spain Naturalist for a guided hike! Please print off a map of the trails for locations of the hikes.
George Wyth State Park - Peregrine Charities Traithlon
When: Sunday, September 28, 2008 - 7:30 am
What: 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike ride, and 6 mile run. Contact Maria Benham at 319-553-2118 for additional
information.
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Cedar Rock - Evening Tours
When: Sunday, October 4, 2008 - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
What: Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home Cedar Rock under the light of the moon. This beautiful home was
designed by the cultural icon Frank Lloyd Wright. The event will allow guests the opportunity to experience the
home and out buildings, there will also be a fire where cookies and beverages will be served. It's the "Wright" thing to do.
Lacey Keosauqua State Park - Scenic Drive Festival
When: Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 12, 2008 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
What: Villages of Van Buren host a Scenic Drive Festival throughout the county with wood carfting
vendors in each village. Lacey Keosauqua State Park will host the Buckskinners camp, portable woodmizer sawmill, and
information booths. All this with beautiful scenery.
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Big Creek State Park - Super Polar Plunge & Polar Plunge
When: Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8
What: The Polar Plunge, which takes place at 1:00 pm on November 8th, is an annual organized fundraiser by
Special Olympics of Iowa. Team members from companies, organizations or individuals dress up and run into the cold
November Big Creek water to raise money for Special Olympics. The Super Plunge, which lasts for 24 hours, starts at
1:00 pm on November 7, 2008 and goes until 1:00 pm, November 8, 2008. Contestants will plunge every hour on the hour
over this 24 hour period. These two events are held at Big Creek beach with food served to participants after the Polar
Plunge. For more information contat Jeannette Steinfeldt at 515-986-5520 or online at www.soiowa.org.
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