On October 24th six wineries will join with the merchants to present a taste tasting celebration from 1 PM to 4PM. Call the Chamber at 1-877-648-5549 to reserve your wine glass and join the fun. Make it a weekend and stay at the Bed and Breakfast of Cabin Cove. www.cabincove.com

Spencer, Iowa ~ The Clay County Fair has come a long way since it grew out of a series of homestead era fairs, agricultural society expositions, a state high-wheel-bicycle meet, a trotting association and community barbecues and picnics — held in Spencer in 1871, only five years after pioneer settlers drove their covered wagons from Wisconsin to Spencer Grove. For entertainment this first fair ran races with horses and riders from Sioux Rapids, Peterson and Emmetsburg. Today, the Clay County fair is the largest county fair in the state of Iowa. It has the second largest agricultural exposition in North America. Bringing in over 310,000 visitors a year, the Clay County Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the USA.

If you plan to visit the fair this year, you will want to consider lodging at one of these fine northwest Iowa bed and breakfast establishments — and, be sure to visit their booth in the Ag Building’s basement during the run of the fair:

Come join other talented quilters for a weekend for sharing and learning and having fun. Make a reservation to stay at Cabin Cove where you will enjoy the wonderful scenery on the Iowa River.

Classic Rock & Roll with some Country. Friday June 26th.

Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Elkader and Cedar St. Suites with friends! We have two bedroom full suites to accommodate a fun weekend.

Check us out at www.elkadersuites.com or call Rebecca to reserve the weekend. 563-880-1233. Music by Midlife Crisis.

Over Forty Artisians are included in Northeast Iowa Studio Artist’s Tour this October 10, 11, & 12, 2008. Our Tara Inn is a proud supporter of this years self guided tour and invites tour participants to “drop in” for a visit as they “tour past”. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. If you are looking for lodging while you are in the area, Our Tara Inn still has rooms available. Call 563-568-2665 or online at www.ourtara.com for reservations.

Fun for everyone is planned at Lansing’s Fish Days. Live Music, Minnow Races, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Co-Ed Softball Tournaments, Carnivals, and even Granny Basketball. There will be something to entertain everyone in the family. Stay at Our Tara Inn and enjoy a quiet night and a hearty Country Breakfast Buffet. Visit our website at www.ourtara.com

This weekend Norwegians and lovers of things Scandinavian will be arriving in Decorah, IA. Great Nordic Foods, entertainment, music, parade, and SHOPPING!

This years window decorations are entitled, “Ole and Lena’s Lefsa, Lutefisk, and Laughs. If you’re planning on joining in the fun this weekend, Our Tara Inn still has a few rooms available. www.ourtara.com

Bring the kids and see a Great American Family Circus on July 13, 2008. Watch the elephants raise the big top and experience the circus come alive. The Carnes & Barnes Circus is coming to town and there will be Elephant and Camel rides available. Treat your children to the only three ring circus on the road. Shows at 1:30 & 4:30 PM.This circus is brought to you by the Iowa Falls Lions Club and supported by the Motel/Hotel committee of which the Bed & Breakfast of Cabin Cove is a member.

As Wheatland, Iowa celebrates their 150th year, visitors will flock to the area for a weekend of fun in the sun.  The Historic Lincoln Hotel B&B is filling up fast.  Only four miles from Wheatland, it is the perfect place to lodge while taking in the festivities.  Live music, good food, craft shows, fireworks, a 5K run, and much more are exciting visitors to plan to attend the Sesquicentenial event.  Come enjoy the simple pleasures and treat yourself to a weekend of fun in the country.  For reservations:  www.lincolnhoteliowa.com  or call 877-941-7563.   

Elderberry Inn Bed and Breakfast Forest City Iowa welcomes Da Chen, a New York Times best selling author. Da Chen will visit Waldorf College on March 2-4. He is Waldorf’s 2008 artist-in-residence and part of Waldorf’s Visons of Vocatio series.
Da Chen is author of his 1999 memoir “Colors of the Mountain” and “Sounds of the River”. His novel “Brothers” which was chosen as “Best Book of 2006″ by several newspapers.
Events open to the public are: Da Chen reading his works aloud in the Atrium at Waldorf at 4 pm Monday and Monday at 7:30 pm he will deliver a convocation speech in the Atrium.