Annual Events in Perry, Iowa

Join us all year-round at these established community events and many more new events! Between celebrating local culture and artists to enjoying recreational trails and music downtown, Perry offers something for everyone to look forward to, no matter the season. For more information about these and other events on the calendar visit PerryIAChamber.org or call the Perry Chamber of Commerce at (515) 465-4601.

Mark Your Calendar

JANUARY

YEAR-ROUND Handlebar Happy Hour Every Thursday Join this social gathering each week of the year from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at La Poste, 1219 Warford St., to celebrate with live music, art, food and community. laposteperry.com/ handlebar-happy-hour

FEBRUARY

BRR – Bike Ride to Rippey First Saturday in February BRR is a 24-mile, roundtrip bike ride from Perry to Rippey and back to Perry. Known as the “Original WINTER Ride,” the annual bike ride continues regardless of the weather! With the inaugural ride in 1978, this tradition is the Perry Chamber’s biggest fundraiser of the year and attracts thousands of riders to Perry from all over Iowa and the country. Preregistration begins months in advance, but day-of registration is also an option. PerryIAChamber.org/BRR or (515) 465-4601.

Chocolate Walk Second Saturday in February Ooo-la-la…Heavenly Chocolate! The Perry merchants host an annual Chocolate Walk on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. Chocolate Walk participants purchase tickets in advance to sample a luscious chocolate treat at each participating store while visiting Perry’s great array of shops and restaurants. PerryIAChamber.org/Chocolate-Walk or (515) 4654601 for tickets prior to the walk.

APRIL

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday before Easter Meet the Easter Bunny, collect eggs and candy and gather “Special Eggs” with prizes at Wiese Park starting at 10:30 a.m. Perry Parks & Recreation at (515) 465-5621. Spring Shopping Open Houses First Saturday in April (Tentative) Join local merchants in welcoming Spring! This event showcases new items in area retail businesses ranging from home goods to clothing and antiques to handmade art, including specials and sales. PerryIAChamber.org or (515) 465-4601

Artisan Afternoons Saturdays, April through October. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This series features a different artist each week and explores the range of materials and techniques they use to create their work. Presented by Purple Star Studio at Mary Rose Collection, 1215 Warford Street. www.MaryRoseCollection.com

MAY

Fiber Festival of Perry Second Saturday in May Featuring all forms of textile artworks, the Fiber Festival of Perry honors a tradition of fine craftsmanship. This event showcases Iowa artists who spin yarn, weave rugs, knit wearables and much more at the Hotel Pattee and Atelier at 1109. Fiber Festival of Perry on Facebook.

JUNE

Weekly Farmers’ Market June through September on Thursdays Locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, handcrafted items and much more abound at the open-air market in the heart of downtown Perry. The market is located on 2nd Street (between Willis Avenue and Warford Street) with more than a dozen regular vendors plus another dozen occasional vendors. The market takes place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Thursday, rain or shine. Visitors also can enjoy extended hours at several downtown shops. Watch for the market’s monthly special events, such as Health and Wellness Night, Public Safety Night, Backto-School Night and Public Works Night. Special “off-season” markets are scheduled in the spring, fall and winter. PerryIA.org/farmers-market or (515) 465-4601.

Kids’ Fest First Saturday in June. Enjoy games, activities and fun for the whole family at the Perry Public Library for the official kick-off for their Summer Reading Program and activities. Perry.lib.ia.us or (515) 4653569.

Friday Fest First Friday in June Bring a picnic basket, cooler, lawn chairs and yard games to enjoy free, live music at the Pattee Park Band Shell from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Food vendors and kids’ activities make for a fun, family friendly event to kick off the summer. PerryIAChamber.org or (515) 465-4601.

JULY

Perry’s Fourth of July Celebration July 4 Perry’s annual patriotic celebration begins with a 2-mile long parade along Willis Avenue at 10 a.m. and ends with live music at the Pattee Park Band Shell at 6p.m., followed by a fireworks finale at dusk. Throughout the day, family friendly activities include food and craft vendors at Pattee Park, plus water fights and kids’ games. PerryIAChamber.org/july-4thcelebration or (515) 465-4601.

Perry Fine Arts Musical Extravaganza & Ice Cream Social July 4 This more than four-decades-old tradition includes live entertainment in the air-conditioned First United Methodist Church, 1100 3rd St., at 2 p.m. The event is followed by an ice cream social open to all, with just a free-will donation. Perry Fine Arts at (515) 465-5139

AUGUST

Friday Fest First Friday in August Bring a picnic basket, cooler, lawn chairs and yard games to enjoy free, live music at the Pattee Park Band Shell from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Food vendors and kids’ activities make for a fun, family friendly event to cap off the summer. PerryIAChamber.org (515) 465-4601.

Highway 141 Garage Sale First Friday/Saturday of August From Grimes to Sloan, the towns, residents and businesses along Highway 141 combine efforts for a full weekend of more than 170 miles of “great garage sales, countless bargains and hidden treasures just waiting to be found” on the first full weekend of August. Hwy 1414 Garage Sale Association at 141sale. org

!Viva Perry! Latino Fest Fourth Saturday in August Celebrating the rich culture and heritage of many Perry residents, the Latino Festival is coordinated by Hispanics United for Perry and includes a parade at 11 a.m., dance performances, live music, food vendors and more from noon to 7 p.m. at the band shell at Pattee Park. Hispanics United for Perry at hupperryiowa@gmail.com or (515) 490-2298.

SEPTEMBER

Art Harvest Tour Last Full Weekend in September A self-guided tour of a dozen artist studios within a 90-mile loop and scenic drive through the Des Moines River Valley, the Art Harvest Tour is coordinated by Art on the Prairie. Local artists open their work spaces for the weekend for a behind-the-scene peak into where they create. From historic downtown galleries to country lane home studios, the stops are as unique as the artistic styles they host – including three stops right in downtown Perry! www.ArtonthePrairie.org

OCTOBER

Perry Fine Arts Performance Series October to April The Perry Fine Arts Committee hosts monthly performances at the Perry Performing Arts Center at the Perry High School. All performances are open to the public, with free will donations accepted. Performances range from dance to opera, orchestra to jazz bands and more. The first event is a performance at 2 p.m. Oct. 9, 2022, by The Bus Boys, an acoustic jam trio from Winona, Minnesota. Perry Fine Arts at (515) 465-5139. Spooktacular Downtown Walk Last Friday in October Perry’s Downtown Historic District closes along 2nd Street from Willis Avenue to Pattee Street to provide a safe trickor-treating walk for hundreds of children, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., thanks to area businesses and organizations participating in the event. PerryIAChamber.org or (515) 465-4601.

Safe and Healthy Halloween at Dallas County Hospital Last Friday in October Enjoy an evening of safe and healthy trick-or-treating through the halls of Dallas County Hospital from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. With an array of giveaways, events and prices, you are sure to enjoy this one-of-a-kind Halloween experience. Dallas County Hospital at (515) 465-7516.

NOVEMBER

Veterans Day Perry High School hosts an Annual Veterans Day Celebration that includes a presentation, assembly and luncheon. Programs are open to the public. RSVP requested for the luncheon. Perry High School at (515) 465-3503.

Lighted Parade and Holiday Celebration Friday after Thanksgiving Truly a sight to see: lighted parade floats circle the downtown and illuminate the streets to kick off the holiday season. Carolers share holiday cheer with those awaiting the parade, and Santa visits with youngsters afterwards. PerryIAChamber.org or (515) 465-4601.

Art on the Prairie at Downtown Venues, Hotel Pattee, LaPoste, Town/ Craft, Security Bank Building, Studio on Second, Betsy Peterson Designs, Carnegie Library Museum, and Perry Public Library Second Weekend in November Downtown Perry comes to life with more than 100 Iowa artists, writers and musicians displaying, demonstrating and performing in multiple buildings in Perry’s Downtown Historic and Cultural District. Thousands of visitors come to town for this annual festival. The historic buildings provide a unique backdrop for a one-of-a-kind indoor art show that also is a self-guided tour of some of Perry’s most iconic sites. ARTonthePrairie.org.

Small Business Saturday Saturday after Thanksgiving Downtown retail shops host their own holiday open houses throughout the holiday season, but Small Business Saturday is a national movement to celebrate, promote and support small businesses with their very own shopping event. This is a perfect time to find holiday gifts while also enjoying refreshments, specials and door prizes. PerryIAChamber.org or (515) 4654601.

DECEMBER

A Tuba Christmas in Honor of Bill Bell Second Saturday in December The Perry Fine Arts Committee hosts A Tuba Christmas in Honor of Bill Bell. This event is in the tradition of the popular Tuba Day celebration founded in 1977. The program at the First United Methodist Church includes a rehearsal followed by a public performance. Perry Fine Arts at (515) 465-5139. Las Posados Before Christmas Las Posadas, “the passage,” is a traditional Hispanic Christmas celebration that re-enacts Joseph and Mary’s search to find room at the inn for the baby Jesus to be born. Procession starts at First Christian Church at 6 p.m. followed by Fiesta. Hispanics United for Perry at hupperryiowa@ gmail.com or (515) 490-2298.

Free Community Christmas Dinner December 25 Open to all, this holiday meal is free to the community, thanks to generous donations. Local residents volunteer time and donate goods to make this event one where people can share in food, fellowship and the holiday spirit. Please join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Perry Elks Lodge on Christmas Day. For more information or to volunteer, call (515) 465-3740.