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Summer is a great time to attend local events, explore community points of interest and enjoy all that the Creston area has to offer. Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is considered as the kick off to summer, which means open attractions and events fill local community calendars.
This Friday, May 27, Fridays After Five kicks off at the Elks Lodge. Every Friday through September, a local business sponsors a non profit or event weekly that will receive proceeds from the night. The event is held in the east lawn at Creston Elks Lodge from 5:08 - 7:08 p.m., featuring live music and cold beverages. It is a family-friendly event and all proceeds go to the non-profit of the night. This Friday, Elk’s Lodge is sponsoring and Jake Kemble will be the performer.
Learn more about Union County at the Creston/Union County Visitors Center, a renovated 1931 Phillips 66 gas station, dedicated to Union County entrepreneur Frank Phillips. It is located next to the Union County Freedom Rock along Highway 34. Open daily through early October, it is a great place to learn about the history of the area and find information on current events and attractions.
McKinley Park becomes an even bigger point of interest every summer, starting with Memorial Day weekend. Located on the south end of the park, the Union County Historical Village opens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday plus Memorial Day and Labor Day. Quilts of the Village will be on display there May 29 and 30. The pool at the park is slated to open for the season June 4, with hours from 1-8 p.m. daily. Every Monday evening, beginning June 6, you can find the farmers market set up in McKinley Park, full of local vendors, foods and music.
Lexi’s Puppy Patch, the Creston dog park being built in memory of local teen, Lexi Rounds, who passed away in 2020 in a car accident, will be the benefactor of the second annual memorial soccer tournament, “Lexi’s Soccer Tournament,” which will be held 8:30 a.m. June 4, at the Creston High School. Also June 4, KSIB will be having its annual Tractor Ride. The trip begins in Creston, heads to Diagonal, then Mount Ayr, Afton and back to Creston to end the ride.
If you’re looking for something to do Tuesday evenings, head to Afton for the farmers market and Tuesday Nights in the Park, held on the Afton Square. Afton Community Club organizes this weekly event that includes a variety of attractions including a carnival night, painting in the park, puppies in the park, live music from local artists and more. Starting Tuesday, June 7, the weekly happening begins with the SCICF awards and music by Roger Burger. The farmers market is held from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m and Tuesday Nights in the park runs from 6-8 p.m. The first night, free food will be provided by Iowa State Savings Bank and adult beverages will be allowed on the square.
These happenings are just a few that greet the 2022 summer season. Check with the areas’ local Facebook pages, including community clubs and chamber for more information and events to plan your summer and live locally.