REGIONAL CELEBRATIONS, HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT TRAVELERS IN WESTERN IOWA
CARROLL, Iowa (May 22, 2006) — People in Western Iowa, along with the rest of the nation, will be celebrating tourism throughout the month of May. That’s because May is Iowa Tourism Month, and the outdoor events and attractions in Western Iowa will bring visitors traveling from all over the state.
“With Memorial Day, the end of the school year and summer travel upon us, people in Western Iowa can plan to entertain guests or family members with a wide range of things to see and do in the area,” said Shirley Phillips, executive director, Sac Economic & Tourism Development, a member of Western Iowa Advantage. This regional economic development partnership of eight counties works cooperatively with local, regional and national resources to effectively market the many viable economic assets of this region.
“As we continue to provide more job opportunities, it is important for people to know about the wonderful quality of life we have in our Western Iowa communities,” said Phillips. “This is an excellent time of year for residents to discover attractions in their own backyard and for visitors to discover something unexpected.”
Some of the fun family events coming up include Odebolt Creek Days, June 16 — 18; sesquicentennial celebrations in Denison, Greenfield and Guthrie Center; and the Great Western Youth Fish Derby and Casting Contest in Manning. The fishing contest is June 3 for ages 5 to 15. The contest encourages little anglers to test their skills with fishing and fish-related activities.
For people who love the outdoors, county fairs and Fourth of July celebrations are annual events, but a ride on the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail is a 70-mile challenge that travels through Guthrie and Greene counties. A weekend camping trip at Camp Crescent in Lake View or a visit to an area state park might also offer something new and fun to explore.
Travelers looking for unique adventures can see more than 4,000 natural history specimens and mounted skeletons and explore a replica limestone cave at the Battle Hill Museum in Battle Creek. In Sac and Greene counties, visitors can view handmade and community quilts during the Barn Quilt Tours and then stop by to see the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball in Sac City. Other unique attractions include restored schoolhouses, museums and great antique shopping.
To view a list of attractions and events in Western Iowa, log on to the Western Iowa Tourism Web site. To view events in both Western Iowa and across the state by county or community, log on to the Iowa Tourism Web site, www.traveliowa.com. Travelers can view the 2006 Iowa Travel Guide in an interactive format that is fun for families planning an Iowa getaway, as well as visitors who would like to learn more about what they will experience in the state.
