Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2025

Halloween fun

Trick-or-Treat with first responders
Join community members on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30-7 p.m. at Fire Station 38, 10225 N.W. 62nd Ave., and go trick-or-treating with first responders from the police and fire departments. They will be handing out treats, and you can also explore the fire engine, ambulance and a squad car. The Bridge will organize fun activities for the kids and hand out candy.

Trunk or Treat
The Johnston Lions invite the public to the club’s trunk-or-treat event. On Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Johnston Lions Club, 6501 Merle Hay Road, enjoy a family-friendly trick or treating event. See kid-themed trunks and collect some sweet treats from community partners.

Trick-or-Treat in Johnston is Oct. 31
Last year, Johnston, along with several other metropolitan communities, reviewed the Beggars Night tradition and decided that Halloween will be celebrated on Oct. 31 from now on. This year, Halloween falls on a Friday evening. Families can go trick-or-treating from 6-8 p.m.

Provide input on the Trail Master Plan

The city of Johnston is looking for your input as it develops a city-wide Trail Master Plan. The public can comment on the project website, www.cityofjohnston.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1528, until Friday, Oct. 17.

Johnston Lions Club bingo

Join the Johnston Lions Club for bingo with prizes on the second Thursday of October and November at the Lions Club, 6501 Merle Hay Road, Johnston. Dates are Oct. 9 and Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m.

Johnston Partnership needs fall and winter clothing

The Johnston Partnership provides food and personal hygiene products to those in need, as well as children’s seasonal clothing. The organization is ramping up its collection of fall/ winter clothing items, especially winter coats that are new or in great used condition. It can also accept snow pants, boots and warm socks in new packages. Most needed sizes are toddler and youth, but the group will likely need about 2,000 coats to make it through the winter season, so all sizes are welcome. 

Donations can be dropped off at 5870 Merle Hay Road, Suite C, Johnston, during open hours. For more information, visit https://johnstonpartnership.org/donate/.

Electronics Recycling Day

A free electronics recycling day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Johnston City Hall east parking lot, 6221 Merle Hay Road. All general electronics are accepted, but CRTs, televisions and some batteries may have fees. For details on pricing and accepted items, visit Electronic Asset Security’s website, https://electronicassetsecurity.com.

Update on Johnston's first dog park

Johnston is working on developing its first dog park. The original dog park was to be located south of Ray Schleihs Park. The land was donated by Woda Cooper. This park is located south of Johnston Drive. The park will be around 6 acres. There is a combo parking lot included for the trailhead/dog park. The scheduled completion is at the end of November, with the opening scheduled for January 2026.

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

The Kiwanis Club of Johnston invites the public for pancakes on Saturday, Oct. 18, 7:30-11 a.m. at the Johnston Middle School, 6501 N.W. 62nd Ave. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door. Tickets are available via Venmo @Johnston-Kiwanis, by emailing johnstonkiwanis@gmail.com and through Facebook @Kiwanis Club of Johnston.

4A State Golf Tourney in Johnston

Hyperion Field Club is hosting the Iowa High School Boys 4A State Golf Tournament from Monday, Oct. 13 to Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Hyperion Field Club, 7390 N.W. Beaver Drive, Johnston. This event will bring 12 high school golf teams (72 golfers) and 12 individual qualifiers for 12 teams to the community, not to mention countless spectators associated with them.

Backpocket in Johnston

The public is invited Friday, Oct. 17, 5-8 p.m. to The Yard at the Johnston Town Center, Backpocket, 6205 Merle Hay Road, for some Fall Family Fun for everyone. There will be face painting, cookie decorating, yard games, fall beverages like apple cider, and more. So dress up in your costumes, bring the entire family, and get into the spirit of the fall season. This is the same time as the third Annual Backpocket Beer Mile. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/Johnston/BackpocketBeerMile. Before the adults get started at 6 p.m., a kids fun run will be held at 5:30 p.m. Kids run free. Visit the Facebook event link at www.facebook.com/share/1D8k8f63xo/.

Community greetings

Johnston Community Greetings would like to welcome anyone new to Johnston with a welcome bag including discounts at local businesses and city information. Contact Missy Shepherd by phone, text or email at 515-991-5014 or mshepherdgreetings@gmail.com.

Polk County Conservation events

Visit www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events for information about upcoming programs offered by Polk County Conservation and for registration links.

Glowing Nature
Friday, Oct. 3, 7-8 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. From glowing mushrooms to bioluminescent water, join this evening of learning about creatures that light up the night. A presentation will be followed by a short “glow and seek” search outside. 

Gold Star Military Museum events

The public is invited to upcoming events at the Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Author Jeff Kluever will discuss his new book, “Marching Home,” Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. at the museum.
• The “Liberator” Exhibit will be on display at the museum from Sept. 23 through Oct. 11. Known as the “Liberator” in World War II Europe, the Harley Davidson WLA military motorcycle was often the first vehicle to enter towns liberated from German occupation. Used for convoy escort, reconnaissance, message delivery and military police patrols, 70,000 were produced during the war.
• The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit will be at the museum Oct. 14-25. The Camp Dodge Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was selected by the National Society DAR to sponsor the exhibit, and the group will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 18, to share stories of their American Revolution Patriots, along with other surprises.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

(Family Features) Packed with protein and natural sweetness, this chocolate cherry cheesecake smoothie bowl is a perfect complement for a back-to-structure fall schedule. Enjoy this creamy, nutritious smoothie bowl as a satisfying breakfast to start to the day or filling afternoon snack during a jam-packed day of activities. For those days that are even busier, add milk to make it a refreshing on-the-go drinkable smoothie.

Find more recipes at realcaliforniamilk.com/recipes.

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie Bowl
Recipe courtesy of Real California Milk
Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Real California cottage cheese
• 1 cup frozen cherries, plus 2 cherries for garnish (optional)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2-4 chopped prunes, to taste
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs, plus extra for garnish (optional)
• 1 pinch salt
• graham cracker crumbs, for garnish (optional)
• 1/2 cup Real California milk (optional)

Directions:

• In blender jar, pulse cottage cheese, 1 cup cherries, cocoa powder, prunes, flaxseed, 1 tablespoon cacao nibs and salt on low.

• Remove lid and scrape down sides of jar with silicone spatula.

• Return lid to blender jar and blend on high about 30 seconds until smooth, creamy texture is achieved.

• If necessary, scrape down sides of jar again and pulse until smooth.

• Garnish with remaining cherries, cacao nibs and ground graham crackers, if desired.

• Tip: To make drinkable smoothie instead of smoothie bowl, add milk.

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