Memorial Day has always been much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. In the Iowa Great Lakes area has many important events to remind all of us of those who died serving our country.
Uncover the interesting history of the holiday we now call Memorial Day. Discover little-known facts about America’s Wars.

Many of the visitors to the area over Memorial Day will enjoy fishing the various lakes in the area. Spirit Lake is the largest in the area and it contains over 40 species of fish, 13 of which are typically caught. A fishery for the lake provides significant populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie, and bluegill.

There are a variety of lodging selections for visitors this year. The bed and breakfast inns of the Iowa Great Lakes offer a variety of accommodation chocies.

Iowa Falls, IA — Make plans to visit this exhibit starting on October 24th. It will be available through November 22. Check out all the special events going on during this special showing.

“Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and Their Neighbors is the story of farm families and rural communities facing change. Visitors to the exhibition’s farmhouse, fields, barn, and local gathering spots will explore how political, economic, and cultural roots influence families today, both on and off the farm.”

If you plan to stay overnight, you will enjoy a good night’s rest at the Bed and Breakfast of Cabin Cove along the Iowa River while you are in Iowa Falls. 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: