Friday, June 1st, is the last day of classes in the Winterset School district. (You’ll probably want to wait until later in the day for your trip to Frostee’s!) If you’re still wondering what you’re going to do to fill your kids’ time this summer, check out our post from a few weeks ago all about summer fun. We know that there is still room in all of the The Winterset Stage’s Summer Stage Workshops and the George Washington Carver Dream Big Dreams sessions through the Iowa State Extension & Outreach. There’s probably room in several others as well so don’t assume that you’ve missed the boat.

This Weekend

The Chamber of Commerce will once again partner with the Winterset Parks & Recreation Department to present the First Friday Concert Series at City Park, sponsored by Fareway Food Stores. This community event is free to attend, and will be held at the North Shelter area at Winterset City Park Friday, June 1st; Friday, July 6th; and Friday, August 3rd from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. This Friday’s entertainer, Chad Elliott & the Redemptions, is sponsored by Atomic Roll-Off and the Madison County River Alliance. Hot food will be available for sale by Up in Smoke BBQ, as well as beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Each year the Madison County Conservation board organizes a River Cleanup at the beginning of the summer. This year’s event will focus more on watershed education. Participants will make numerous stops along the route (between Roseman Covered Bridge and Pammel Park) to take some brief walking tours of various properties where landowners are conducting wise habitat enhancements that impact positively on water quality. Learn how local landowners are positively impacting our river ecosystems with their wise land use practices.

You don’t have to be an expert paddler, but some experience would be helpful. Registration is not required, but it is recommended that you call the conservation office in advance if you plan on attending—515-462-3536. After the tour, participants are encouraged to say for a  post-tour BBQ/Pot-Luck at the Middle River County Park shelter south of Winterset.

Friday, June 1st, marks the beginning of the All Iowa Shop Hop. Devoted quilters will be trying to make their way to all 91 participating quilt shops in Iowa. Because of our fabulous Piece Works Quilt Shop, Ben Franklin store and Iowa Quilt Museum, we’ll surely see a lot of quilter traffic in the month of June!

Cupped N’ Committed Delta Waterfowl Chapter is inviting young anglers to join them for their 2nd Annual Kids Fishing Derby. The derby is open to kids under the age of 16 but they must have a parent or guardian present with them at all times. There will be plenty of prizes for the kids and a free lunch afterwards. Registration will start at 8:00 am and fishing will go from 9:00 – 11:00 am. This is a free fishing weekend in the state of Iowa, so no license is needed by anyone. If you have any questions feel free to call or text chapter member Ryan Gambrall at (515)577-5974.

The Kick-off event fo the Winterset Public Library’s Summer reading program, Touch a Truck is a free event for all ages and no registration is required. On Saturday, June 2nd, from 10:00 am – Noon, kids can visit the library and sign up for summer reading, and then touch, and safely explore their favorite big trucks and heavy machinery, as well as meet the personnel who protect, serve, and build the Winterset community. Bring a camera for fun photo opportunities!

Covered Bridges Winery has a full evening planned for Saturday, June 2nd. At 5:00 pm, Caryn Lee will lead Yoga at the Winery. Arrive by 4:45 to get set up for that bring your own mat (or when you purchase your tickets, let them know that you need a mat.) Up in Smokewill arrive at 6:30 to begin serving their famous BBQ and music by Old School Band with Ed Kelly and Kevin King from Freestyle will begin at 7:00 pm. They’re just your garden variety blues/jazz/latin/50’s/country/polka/reggae/celtic/funk/easy-listening/classical/swing/dance music band…with a rock & roll heart!

Tickets are $15 per person and include yoga and the cover charge for the band and can be purchased in advance. If you’re not coming for yoga, the cover is $5 at the door. Weather permitting, music will be outdoors so bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.

On Monday, June 4th from 6:00 – 7:00, the Winterset Public Library will present a second session of The Art of Hair: Ponytails and Braids. Rikki Kissell from Small Town Styles will help guide caregivers and parents through the art of ponytails and braids. She will also share some of her favorite tips and tricks for messy hair, and have some fun hair products and accessories for you to try and take home!! Registration is required for parent and child and there is room for only 10 children and 10 adults. Register online or call 515-462-1731.

At the Iowa Theater for just one week, Overboard (PG-13) is a reboot of the 80s classic. Kate is a single, working-class mother of three who’s hired to clean a luxury yacht that belongs to Leonardo—a selfish, spoiled and wealthy Mexican playboy. After unjustly firing Kate, Leonardo falls off the boat and wakes up with no memory of who he is. To get payback, Kate shows up at the hospital and convinces the confused amnesiac that they’re married. As Leonardo tries to get used to manual labor and his new family, Kate starts to wonder how long she can keep fooling her fake husband. The next Way Back Wednesday film, showing June 6th, will be School of Rock (PG-13) starring Jack Black. This is presented as part of the Winterset Public Library’s summer program: Libraries Rock!