Things to do this weekend in Dallas County include Waukee Arts Festival and Dallas County Fair

Melissa Reisinger, a clay sculptor from Indianola, shapes a ball of clay into a soup bowl at her booth during the Waukee Art Festival on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Centennial Park in Waukee.
Melissa Reisinger, a clay sculptor from Indianola, shapes a ball of clay into a soup bowl at her booth during the Waukee Art Festival on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Centennial Park in Waukee.

Dallas County Fair

July 12-16 at Dallas County Fairgrounds, Adel.

The Dallas County Fair will return from July 12-16. Grandstand evening activities include Mutton Busting and Rodeo by Double S Bull Company on July 13, live music featuring Ian Munsick with special guest Kylie Frey on July 14, Figure 8 and Circle Track Racing followed by live music by Eric Chesser and fireworks on July 15 and Truck Pulls on July 16. Other activities include a carnival, 4-H/FFA livestock shows, free entertainment and more. Find a full schedule at dallascountyfair.com/fair-schedule.

Field Day at Wills Family Orchard

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Friday, July 14 at Wills Family Orchard, 33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel.

Practical Farmers of Iowa will host a field day on Friday, July 14 at Wills Family Orchard. The enterprises at Wills Family Orchard are diverse, yet with a common thread of agritourism. With five acres of certified organic apples, two acres of conventional-ish apples, one acre of organic peaches, a sorghum-sudan grass (instead of corn!) maze, pumpkins and more, this farm is a family affair that draws about 7,000 customers annually. Learn about the goals and lessons of managing this multifaceted operation and how the farm has grown and changed over time. Apple cider donuts and light refreshments will be served. For full event details and to RSVP, visit the event page at practicalfarmers.org. Attendees can also RSVP by calling PFI at (515)-232-5661.

July Sip & Shop

4-7 p.m. Friday, July 14 at Perry businesses.

Enjoy an after hours shopping experience at Perry businesses from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 14. Shop spring and summer apparel, gifts, décor and more! Refreshments and in-store offerings vary per location. Find more information on the Perry Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Waukee Arts Festival

July 14-15 at Centennial Park, Waukee.

See artist exhibits and listen to live music at the two-day Waukee Arts Festival. The festival opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 14 with artist vendors, food trucks, beer garden and live music. The festival reopens from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 with daytime music, art vendors, food trucks, beer garden, kids activities and evening concerts. Artist vendors will be open from 5-9 p.m. July 14 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 15. Artist vendors will close at 6 p.m. July 15 when the evening concert begins. For updates on added features, news, concerts, music, food and featured artists, stay tuned to the Waukee Arts Festival 2023 Facebook event, Waukee Area Arts Council Facebook page, Instagram feed or waukeeartsfestival.org.

Swim with the Mermaids

6-8 p.m. Friday, July 14 at Adel Family Aquatic Center.

The LIVE mermaids will be splashing around in the pool or sitting pool side ready to make this experience so fun and memorable for all who join! We will have mermaid tails available to rent so that you or your child too can learn to swim like a mermaid or just to feel like one. Activities will be offered at the party and mermaid hair and glitter will also be available to purchase. Every participant will need a ticket. Ages 2 and under will be free. Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Be sure to bring your camera as this will be an exciting and memorable event for the entire family!

Adult Summer Library Program Game Night

6:30 p.m. Friday, July 14 at Tin Pig Tavern, 1201 2nd St., Perry.

Round up your friends and family for a Game Night at the Tin Pig on Friday, July 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. This Adult Summer Library Program Game Night continues the Beers and Brews fun with an exciting selection of games for you to try and enjoy. We'll provide the games and a selection of appetizers; you bring the players. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, ask a librarian, or call 515-465-3569.

Woodward Public Library Special Events

July 14-24 at Woodward Public Library.

Area residents are invited to join the Woodward Public Library for its regularly scheduled events: Mondays for PK storytime at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays K-5 at 2 p.m. and Tweens and Teens at 6 p.m. Upcoming special events include Tween & Teen Night(ages 11+) from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, July 14. Residents are invited to come see the library's booth at the Woodward's Farmer's Market with an all things Lego theme from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. A Nathan & Clay event will be held from Monday, July 17 through Thursday, July 20. Nathan will bring eight electric wheels into the library and provide hands-on instruction to students. Three sessions of this class will be offered.  Registration is required and there is a fee for this event. Register at www.woodward.lib.ia.us , in person, or by phone (515-438-2636). All ages are invited to learn about our community heroes during Family Night at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24. No registration is required for youth programming unless noted.

Granger Yoga In The Park

8-9 a.m. Saturday, July 15 at Centennial Park, Granger.

Yoga in the Park is designed for improving community health, energizing, and relaxation. You are encouraged to bring a mat or a towel as well as some water and clothes you can move in. No registration for the class is required, just show up ready to relax, release and enjoy.

Van Meter Yoga in the Park

8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15 at American Legion Shelter House, Van Meter.

The Van Meter Parks and Rec board will host Yoga in the Park at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings through July. The group will meet at the American Legion Shelter House. Attendees should bring a towel or mat and a friend. The free classes will be held on July 15, 29.

De Soto Tractor Supply Farmers Market

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at De Soto Tractor Supply, 4001 Ash St.

The De Soto Tractor Supply store will host a farmers market featuring locally-grown, fresh produce, as well as other seasonal products. From 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 15, shoppers can stop in for arts and crafts, local produce, eggs and woodworks, all produced by neighbors in the De Soto area. This event is open to the public. For more information, please contact De Soto Tractor Supply at 515-834-2181.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at Perry Police/Fire Station parking lot, 908 Willis Ave.

The city of Perry has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to bring its residents the opportunity to properly dispose of household waste on Saturday, July 15. This event is free and for Perry residents. Waste from schools and businesses, including farms, will not be accepted without prior approval. Items accepted include antifreeze, batteries (only rechargeable), fertilizers, fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), gasoline and kerosene, mercury thermometers, metal polishes and rust removers, oil filters (used), oil and lead-based paint, pesticides, sharps or needles (must be contained) stains and varnishes. Items not accepted include ammunition, asbestos, electronics, explosives, fire extinguishers, latex paint, medications, propane tanks and radioactive materials. For more information, call 515-333-4432.

Annual Tire Drop-Off

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at Perry Recycle Center, 14325 Ivy Place.

The city of Perry will collect tires from on Saturday, July 15 at the Perry Recycle Center. There will be no charge to dispose of the first five car tires. A cost of $5 will be charged to dispose of each additional car tire. The disposal cost for semi tires is $10 and tractor tires will be $20 each.

Free Merchant Movies

11 a.m. Wednesday, July 19 at Perry Grand 3 Theatres.

The Perry Grand 3 Theatres will continue the 2023 summer movies with "Shrek 2" on July 19. All movies will be shown at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 2. Admission is free thanks to local sponsors. Look for a full list of upcoming movies on the Perry Grand 3 Theatres Facebook page.

Health & Wellness Night

4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 20 on 2nd Street, Perry.

Join us for the Perry Farmers Market from 4-7 p.m. every Thursday, but especially on the Third Thursday of the month for special events! Thursday, June 20 is Health & Wellness Night at the 2023 Perry Farmers Market. In addition to regular market vendors with their abundant fresh produce, various special guests will be joining us to help you feel a bit more healthy and well. Watch for more information on the Perry Farmers' Market Facebook page.

Perry's 2nd Street Block Party

5-10 p.m. Friday, July 21 on 2nd Street, Perry.

Join us on Friday, July 21 for the 2nd Annual 2nd Street Block Party in downtown Perry with live music by TOAST3R! 2nd Street will be closed between Lucinda and Warford Streets for a street dance. The event entrance will be located at the intersection of Warford & 2nd Streets, with the band set up near Lucinda Street in front of Ben's Five & Dime. Come on out and join us for an evening full of fun! Admission is $5 and must be 21+ to enter. Proceeds support the Perry Chamber of Commerce.

Mobile Food Pantry

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22 at Crossroads Church, Perry.

Crossroads Church will host a mobile food pantry from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 22.

Truck and Tractor Show

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, July 22 at Washington Township School.

The Washington Township Foundation is sponsoring a Truck and Tractor Show on Saturday, July 22 at the Washington School grounds. Breakfast and lunch will be available starting at 7 a.m. The Truck and Tractor Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Sue Andrews 515-490-1269. No preregistration is necessary.   Washington Township School is located seven miles south of Perry at the junction of P58 and F31.

To submit events to be included in the Around the County or Happenings in and around Perry round-ups, email news@adelnews.com or news@theperrychief.com.

This article originally appeared on Dallas County News: Check out the Waukee Arts Festival and Dallas County Fair this weekend