Jefferson’s sesquicentennial is the theme for the 2022 Bell Tower Festival this weekend, June 9, 10, and 11.
Old favorites, new events, and something that’s been missing at recent festivals will all be part of the fun.
The fun begins Thursday with a new event, a Downtown Dinner Party on Lincoln Way under the new sun shades. Social hour begins at 5 pm and a dinner prepared by Lidderdale Catering will be served at 6. Raffles and Golden Ticket games will be followed by music by 2B Unplugged.
“First and foremost, this event is designed to be an awesome night out on the town and a celebration of all things Iowa, Greene County and Jefferson,” said steering committee chair Phil Heisterkamp. “Secondly, it will aid in funding the Bell Tower Festival for future years so it can continue to grow and help our city become regionally known as a top destination in the entire state.”
Tickets are available at $50 per person and must be purchased in advance.
Also new is a pickleball tournament Saturday morning, starting at 8 am, at Russell Park. Two person teams will follow USA Pickleball rules. Players must be 16 or older. One player on the team may be younger, but paired with an adult (18 or older). There is prize money for first and second place finishers. The registration fee is $20 per team.
New entertainment includes Ironside axe throwing on the southwest corner of the square Friday from 6 to 9 pm and Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Juggler Peter Brunette will perform on Lincoln Way Saturday at 1 pm, and Sabba circle fire dancers will perform Saturday at 8:30 pm.
Live music will include Brad Morgan Friday at 8 pm, Jessica McClintock Saturday from 5 to 8 pm, and Dirt Road Divide Saturday at 9 pm.
The traditional opening ceremony will be held Friday at 6 pm on the Plaza Stage on the south side of the courthouse. Chuck Offenburger of Cooper, longtime Des Moines Register columnist and lifetime promoter of Iowa, will be honored with the Bell Tower of Fame Award. A reception will follow inside the courthouse until 8 pm.
The Bell Tower Festival parade, once again sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jefferson, will step off from Greene County Middle School Saturday at 11 am and follow its usual route north on Chestnut St, west on Lincoln Way, and then south on Vine St to disband near the new Greene County Early Learning Center.
This year there are cash prizes for parade entries that follow a theme celebrating the Rotary Club’s centennial, “Towering in Service for 100 Years.” A traveling trophy will also be awarded to the best overall parade entry, along with plaques for the best float in commercial and non-commercial categories.
Parade registration is open until Friday. Entries the day of the parade will be required to pay a $20 same-day entry fee.
Reunion Rendevous, hosted by the Greene County School Foundation, will be on the shaded north side of the courthouse Saturday from 12:30 to 3 pm. All class reunion groups are welcome.
Like past years, there will be the famous firemen’s pancake breakfast, the 5K Ding Dong Dash, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a bags tournament, a trivia contest, and a car show.
After being missing for a few years, a carnival will return to the festival on the east side of the courthouse. Gotcha Games of Collins will bring 10 carnival rides. They’ll be running Friday from 5 to 10 pm and Saturday from 12:30 to 10 pm.
The Elks hamburger feed after the parade Saturday is also returning to the Elks lodge on W. Harrison St. Serving will be from 12 to 2 pm.
The executive team for the 2022 Bell Tower Festival includes chair Philip Heisterkamp, Lyndsey Wathen, Emily Dyer, Josh Dyer, Beth Vander Wilt, Bridgette Heisterkamp, Tyler Wathen and Emily Erps.
