The annual Bell Tower Festival will be held on June 9-10 in Jefferson, and this is a traditional time for class reunions to meet. The Greene County School Foundation welcomes all reunions and alumni back with their families. The Foundation sponsors the annual Reunion Rendezvous held right after the parade from 12:30 to 3 pm.
The Reunion Rendezvous is a tradition since 2019 but the location has changed this year. The event will be held on the south side of the courthouse on Lincoln Way. Tables and chairs will be available for classes under the large sun shades. Live entertainment on the Plaza Stage will provide a nice atmosphere. Teachers are welcome to stop by to visit. The Greene County School Foundation will have local leaders available to answer questions about the school and the foundation.
Annie Ostendorf continues as the volunteer class reunion contact and invites those classes planning reunions to contact her with a contact name, email address, and cell along with plans that have been made for the class. Contact her at 515-370-1397 or ostee@netins.net. Please let Ostendorf know if your class wants a table reserved at this event. Staff at the Welcome Center will also take information by calling 515-386-2155 during the hours of 10 am to 4 pm or email info@jeffersonmatters.org
A wide variety of food vendors and downtown restaurants around the square offer options for food and drink. Alcoholic drinks will also be available for sale near the Reunion Rendezvous event.
Classes typically have floats in the parade and can register online at www.belltowerfestival.com Other events such as the Ding Dong Dash, Pickle Ball Tourney, Car Show, and new Wine Tasting event can be accessed on the website. Many classes plan their own gathering during Saturday evening and return to the downtown for the live entertainment. The Plaza Stage area on the south side of the courthouse will have continuous entertainment with no cover charge for the festival on both Friday and Saturday nights.
The Reunion Rendezvous committee hosts a Facebook page – Bell Tower Festival Class Reunions. The Bell Tower Festival Facebook page and an extensive website for events is at www.belltowerfestival.com. The new website www.experiencejeffersoniowa.com is another great resource for visitors.
