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Creston • Afton • Lorimor • Cromwell • Arispe • Shannon City • Thayer

Festivals & Events

Balloon races, a week-long Fourth of July, the county fair and a Christmas parade under the lights. Plan your trip around one.

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EVER SEPTEMBER • CRESTON

Creston/Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days

Our biggest weekend of the year, running for nearly five decades. About 35 balloons race over the hills, then light up the field after dark for the night glow.

48

years and counting

~35

balloons racing

3

days of events

Balloon Races
Parade
Marching Band Contest
Flea Market
Food
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EARLY JULY • CRESTON

10,000 Crestonians Fourth of July

A full week of celebrating, capped by the parade through Uptown, fireworks over McKinley Park and Party in the Park.

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MID-JULY • AFTON

Union County Fair

A week at the fairgrounds in Afton with 4-H and FFA, a rodeo, horse show, tractor pulls and the demolition derby.

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DECEMBER • CRESTON

No Place Like Creston for the Holidays

Tree lighting and Santa at the depot, the Festival of Trees, the Merry Marketplace and a lighted parade through Uptown.

All summer long

Every Week, June Through August

No big plans needed. These happen like clockwork once school lets out.

mondays • 4 to 6:30 pm

Creston Farmers Market

McKinley Park, Creston

tuesdays

Tuesday Nights in the Park

Farmers market on the Afton City Square

fri to sun • 1 to 4:30 pm

Historical Village

Memorial Day to Labor Day, McKinley Park

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Calendar

Get Your Event On The Calendar

Send us the details and we'll add it after a quick review. Free for Union County organizations. Email the Creston Chamber of Commerce at chamber@crestoniowachamber.com.

Around the county

Small-Town Favorites

Every town throws its own party. These come back year after year.

May · Creston

Market on Maple

Vendors fill Uptown Creston for the day

September · Lorimor

Watermelon Day

Lorimor's end-of-summer tradition

June · Afton

Kansas Street Boogie

A summer night on the Afton City Square

September · Afton

Afton Autumn Days

Fall comes to the town square

July · Creston

McKinley Park Festival

A day in Creston's biggest park

Fall · Cromwell

Cromwell Harvest Fest

Celebrating harvest season

August · Creston

Library Wine Walk

Sip your way through Uptown

October · Afton

High Lakes Outdoor Alliance Banquet

Dinner and auction at the fairgrounds

Questions about an event?

The Visitor's Center can help with schedules, parking and where to stay.

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