Happenings in and around Perry
Veterans Day at Iowa Veterans Cemetery
8-9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr., Adel.
The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs will observe Veterans Day with a program at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. The traditional in-person, public ceremony, will run for about 45-60 minutes. The program will also be broadcast state-wide on the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Facebook page, where it can also be viewed later. After the ceremony, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 403 will host a breakfast at the Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter (910 Main St. Van Meter) nearby.
Perry Veterans Day Program
10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Perry Performing Arts Center.
Perry's annual Veterans Day program will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 in the Perry Performing Arts Center.
The Veterans Day events include a complimentary breakfast for veterans, active service members, National Guard and reserve personnel from 6-10 a.m. at Perry Hy-Vee followed by a Perry Chamber coffee at 8 a.m. The 32nd annual Perry High School Social Studies Department Veterans Day Panel Presentation will be held from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the Perry Performing Arts Center. The panel, moderated by Gary Overla, will feature members of the Perry Area Veterans of Foreign Wars. The annual Veterans Day program will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon in the Perry High School Gym.
Veterans Day Supper
5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Minburn American Legion, 319 Baker St.
The Minburn American Legion Auxiliary invites community members to a Veterans Day Supper from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Legion building. Dine in, carryout or drive-through options will be available for the meal of pork loin, scalloped potatoes, green beans and apple crisp. This is free to all veterans.
Art on the Prairie Festival
Nov. 12-13 around Perry.
Art on the Prairie, an arts festival which showcases Iowa artists, musicians, and writers, returns for the 12th year on Nov. 12-13. This year's event will take place in eight historic downtown Perry buildings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. The juried arts festival will feature 55 visual artists from across Iowa, displaying a variety of works including ceramics, painting, jewelry, photography, fiber and textiles, printmaking, glass, wood and mixed media. The musical talents of 30 Iowa musicians will fill the historic venues with live acoustic, unplugged music for the two-day festival. Additionally, local artist displays and youth activities will again take place at the Perry Public Library, along with storytimes and performances in the Community Room. The Art on the Prairie Festival Committee wishes to thank all contributors for helping make this year's event possibly, especially Raccoon Valley Bank, Windsor & Patricia Wenz and Barb Wolling. Find more details at www.artontheprairie.org.
Poetry on the Prairie
Nov. 12-13 at Studio on Second, Perry.
The written and spoken word have been a part of Art on the Prairie for years, but this year Poetry on the Prairie will be featured in its own venue with a full schedule of activities throughout the weekend, including a poetry slam, poetry readings, open mic opportunities for poetry lovers and workshops for aspiring poets. Poetry on the Prairie will feature 30 Iowa Poets, including Deb Marquart, Iowa State Poet Laureate. The festival weekend will kick-off with a Poetry Slam starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at Gamble Block Brewery, 1203 2nd St., emceed by Iowa Poetry Association Co-Chairs Kelsey Bigelow and Laura Johnson. A complete list of the Poetry on the Prairie activities can be found at www.iowapoetry.com along with artist bios and registration links.
Art on the Prairie Events at Perry Public Library
Nov. 12-13 at Perry Public Library.
The Perry Public Library welcomes local author Megan Cline for a children’s storytime in the Library Community Room at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 12 and 13. Cline is an Iowa native best known for the curious, colorful wombat in "Winston Winks." Two live GR!LIVE performances featuring local artist Lani will be held at 1 and 2:30 p.m. from Girls Rock Des Moines on Saturday, Nov. 12 in the Library Community Room. The performers will also offer a hands-on songwriting workshop at 1:30 p.m. Attendees of all ages and experience levels are invited to join in on the fun and learn about the music genre of Latin Pop, the herstory of Gloria Estefan, and the music of the local artist, Lani. Artist Jillann Gabrielle is bringing her original, solo musical based on the life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, "Oh, Jackie O!," to library at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. Gabrielle will present this free show to the public in the Library Community Room. The Perry Public Library will also showcase local student artists in the Art on the Prairie Student Art Exhibit on Nov. 12-13. Come view original artwork from Perry Community School students throughout the library all weekend.
Vintage & Made Fair {Holiday Edition}
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Dallas County Fairgrounds, Adel.
Vintage & Made Fair {Holiday Edition} is inspired by indie craft and all things vintage. Vintage & Made Fair is an indoor/outdoor market featuring antique and vintage home décor, jewelry, handcrafted goods, outdoor accents, seasonal flora, food trucks and everything you need to create a vintage and handmade lifestyle. The fair is a 1-day event where shoppers and over 125 vendors can share a love for vintage and indie craft at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in Adel. Admission is $10/person and 12 & under are free. Find more information at www.vintageandmadefair.com and on the Vintage & Made Fair Facebook page.
Veterans Day Coffee
9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Woodward Legion Post, southside of Woodward by the golf course.
The Woodward American Legion Auxiliary invites all area veterans and their families to a free coffee time from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12. Meet fellow veterans in the area and their families while enjoying coffee/juice and continental breakfast items.
Holiday Sip & Shop
4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 at Perry businesses.
Enjoy an after hours shopping experience at Perry businesses from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18. Shop cool-weather apparel, holiday décor, gifts and more while sipping complimentary refreshments at each location. Refreshments and in-store offerings vary per location. Find more information on the Perry Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Mobile Food Pantry
8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Crossroads Church, Perry.
Crossroads Church will host a mobile food pantry from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Holiday Craft Show
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at McCreary Community Building.
Get a head start on your holiday shopping during the annual Holiday Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the McCreary Community Building. The craft show is free for all ages will be filled with both homemade crafts and vendors.
Fall Farmers Market
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Perry Public Library Community Room.
The fall season of the Perry Farmers Market continues and just in time to stock up before Thanksgiving! By popular demand from both shoppers and vendors, a series of Fall Markets have been scheduled to take place at the Perry Public Library Community Room on the 3rd Saturday of the month – Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. These fall markets will be limited to 6-10 vendors per market but are expected to have a wide variety of offerings, including seasonal produce, jams and jellies, fresh baked goods, and handcrafted items. Watch for a list of the November vendors on the Perry Farmers' Market Facebook page.
Adel Community Thanksgiving Dinner
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24 at Meadow View Elementary, Adel.
A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Meadow View Elementary. For meal deliveries or donations, call Lincoln Savings Bank (515.253.9475).
Perry's Lighted Holiday Parade
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 in downtown Perry.
Bundle up join us for this very merry holiday tradition in Perry. The 2022 Lighted Holiday Parade will be held on Friday, Nov. 25. The Perry Chamber of Commerce invites the Perry community to participate in this celebration as an official kick-off to the holiday season. Businesses, community organizations and jolly community members are encouraged to create lighted floats to join the parade. A number of stores will be open late that night, but all downtown lights will go dark at 7 p.m. in anticipation of the Lighted Parade. Line-up begins at 6 p.m. at 2nd & Otley and there are prizes for best, biggest and brightest lighted parade floats. Starting at the corner of 2nd and Otley (by Oasis Market) the parade will first head east on Otley to 3rd Street (by Fareway) and then will head north on 3rd to Pattee, turning left and left again to head then head south on 2nd Street through downtown.
Tinsel Trot
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 at
The Perry Booster Club will host the 2022 Tinsel Trot on Saturday, Nov. 26. Registration for the walk/run will start at 10 a.m. with the race starting at 10:30 a.m. The event will also feature photo ops with Santa and Brutus, the Perry mascot. The cost is $30 for adults and $20 for students. Pre-register by Nov. 14 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. Registration forms will be available at Perry High School, Perry Middle School, McCreary Community Building, Snap Fitness, Ben's Five and Dime and Perry Perk. Electronic registration is open now.
Annual Toy Drive
Toys to be collected through Dec. 2.
Boxes have been set out to collect toys for the annual toy drive. Boxes are located at Ben's Five and Dime, Perry Perk, Perry Public Library, Percival Scientific, Van Wall Equipment, Hy-Vee, Orschelns, Dollar General, Dollar Tree and the Hotel Pattee. Toys will be collected through Dec. 2 before being distributed to Perry-area youth. The box at Ben's will be out until Jan. 1 for after Christmas shopping.
Human Needs Grants
Grants accepted through Dec. 8.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church will award Human Needs Grants in December 2022. Qualified groups intending to apply should request a copy of grant criteria from St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 486, Perry, IA, 50220, by phone: 515-465-3468 or e-mail: stmartinsepiscopalchurch@yahoo.com. Grant requests must be in the church on or before Dec. 8, 2022.
To submit events to be included in the Happenings in and around Perry round-up, email news@theperrychief.com.
This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Happenings in and around Perry
