To add an event to the community event calendar, send a press release to news@crestonnews.com.
‘Building Better Birders’ (Oct. 16)
Ringgold County Conservation and Feeder Birds of Iowa are hosting four free “citizen science” workshops: “Building Better Birders.” The first of four workshops will include an interactive bird hike and presentation of Feeder Birds of Iowa. Starting time is 9 a.m. Oct. 16. The program for the day will feature an interactive bird hike and lunch ($10 per person) catered by local café Jamie’s Coffee Mill. This program is free, for all ages, $10 lunch. Registration is required and space is limited. Call Ringgold CCB office at 641-464-2787 or email ringgoldccb@ringgoldcounty.us to register.
Haunted Halloween Hike (Oct. 24)
Ringgold County Conservation is hosting a Haunted Halloween Hike Oct. 24 at the Dragoon Trace Nature Center at Poe Hollow Park (east of Mount Ayr on State Hwy 2). A less scary version of the hike for younger participants will begin at 5 p.m. with the regular hike starting at 7 p.m.
Registration for the hike will be at the Dragoon Trace Nature Center and a guide will lead you to the beginning of the trail. Groups of 10 or less will leave every 10 minutes from the nature center and travel through Poe Hollow to the Ringgold Trailway and come back on the east trail into Poe Hollow and end at Hawkins Hideaway Shelter (enclosed shelter) where you will receive a hayride back to the nature center.
Scary movies, cocoa, cookies, carnival games, popcorn and a food truck will greet participants at the shelter house at the end of your hike. Entry Fees for this event are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Masks are required inside the nature center and social distancing is recommended.
Adult book club (Oct. 27)
Gibson Memorial Library is hosting this month's adult book club via Zoom, 5 to 6 p.m., Oct. 27. This month's featured book is "Send Down the Rain" by Charles Martin. For more information visit the website www.creston.lib.ia.us, phone 641-782-2277, visit Facebook or email aricbishop@gmail.com.
Creston trick-or-treating (Beggar’s Night) (Oct. 31)
Mayor Carroll has designated Creston’s Beggars’ Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Residents should follow all COVID-19 and CDC social distancing guidelines; maintaining 6-foot distance, candy should be handed out in individualized Ziplock or brown paper bags), masks/face coverings should be worn.
Blood drive (Nov. 2)
A Red Cross blood drive will be held noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at Trinity Lutheran. Schedule an appointment online at redcrossblood.org.
Blood drive (Nov. 11)
A Red Cross blood drive will be held 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at Creston Community High School. Schedule an appointment online at redcrossblood.org.
Blood drive (Nov. 18)
A Red Cross blood drive will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at Orient-Macksburg School. Schedule an appointment online at redcrossblood.org.
The Great Union County Scavenger Hunt (Nov. 28)
The Gibson Memorial Library is hosting the Great Union County Scavenger Hunt, Nov. 28. This event is to search, scavenge and socially distance from your car. For registration details and other information about the event visit the Gibson Memorial Library Facebook page, website www.creston.lib.ia.us/, email aricbishop@gmail.com, or register using this link: https://bit.ly/30Bye2T.
Santa in Creston (Dec. 3)
Santa Claus will be greeting children 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 through the drive-thru window at First National Bank on West Adams Street. Letters for Santa may be brought to him at this event and slipped through the teller drawer. Alternatively, letters to Santa can be mailed to his home address: Santa Claus, North Pole.
Creston Lighted Christmas Parade (Dec. 3)
Creston Chamber of Commerce is hosting its lighted Christmas Parade 7 p.m. Dec. 3 in Uptown Creston. No registration is necessary and all entries must be lighted. For more info, contact the chamber office at 641-782-7021.
Holiday lights in the Park (Dec. 4)
Ringgold County Conservation and the Ringgold Conservation Foundation are hosting a holiday lights in the park event at Poe Hollow Park. Visitors will be able to drive through Poe Hollow Parkand marvel at lighted displays in its winter wonderland. Entry fee for this event is $5.00 per vehicle.